TIPTOPSTARS

When Victor Viyuoh told TIPTOSTARS’ Editor three days ago that he would humbly accept any outcome, but was concerned with the seven nominations Ninah’s Dowry secured at the African Movie Academy Awards, AMAA, little did the Cameroonian film maker knew his team  was travelling to Yenagoa to lift yet another trophy. Today, Ninah’s Dowry has confirmed it is historic piece of job. The Cameroonian movie had a special place in the hearts of members of the jury who found justice in rewarding it with a Jury’s Special Award.

 But reactions have already been pouring in. “Wonderful, that’s great. Kudos to the Cameroonian film industry!” said Junior Mbongho, a film editor, actor, communicator and Cameroonian student in the United Kingdom. “I was confident Ninah’s Dowry would pull a prize at AMAA. I’m quite impressed and proud to be a Cameroonian,” Felly Yungo, a Cameroonian movie lover told us from Cleveland, Ohio, USA. Still from the USA, Cameroonian actress Audrey Funteh reacted: “Wow, we’re going places. I’m very happy our people are making us proud.”

Similar reactions have been coming from film producers. “Wow, that’s a huge breakthrough. I’m proud to be a Cameroonian film maker,” Germany-based Valery Atia told us.

Ninah’s Dowry’s latest glory has not left the media and promoters of the Cameroonian entertainment indifferent. “Extreme happiness! A Cameroonian film!This win is a vital sign for the Cameroonian film industry,” CNE’s Kymaa Don told us in a quick feedback.

TIPTOPSTARS is still trying to reach the formidable team that accompanied the movie at yesterday AMAA reward nights said to have been characterized by glitz and glamour. As part of the team were Anurin Nwunembom and Eka Chirsta who prematurely left a Zanzibar, Tanzania film workshop to answer present at AMAA. Both actors were nominated.

Ninah’s Dowry now becomes the second Cameroonian movie to pick a coverted prize at the prestigious AMAA after Ariane Astrid Atodji’s Koundi et Le Jeudi Nationale won the best documentary in 2011. Ninah’s Dowry which has been to several festivals is also laureate of the Audience Awards at the Big Muddy Film Festival in Carbondale and most recently (less than three weeks ago) World Cinema Award at the Phoenix Film Festival. The movie will be featuring at the Festival International de Film Panafricain in Cannes on this week,  at the Pearl International Film Festival in Uganda in May and at the Berkshire International Film Festival in Great Barrington, MA.

With these victories however, the producer says he is still expecting a concrete reaction from the Cameroonian government which no doubt benefits quite much from Ninah’s Dowry’s ambassadorial status.

Shot in Sagba, North West region of Cameroon, Ninah’s Dowry is directed by Victor Viyuoh featuring Mbufung Seikeh, Anurin Nwunembom, Vugar Samson, Nkwah Kingsley, Nsuh George (Big George), Christa Eka, Nobert Kecha, Bodi Rolland Tamfu, Ndenge Dian Thelma Cheny, Ekwa, Sally Talla, Photem Michael, Che Fuh Hilarius, Adambi Mbango Ngene, etc.

TIPTOPSTARS will be talking to Victor Viyuoh in a subsequent update but for now, it is kudos to the entire Ninah’s Dowry team.

When this interviewer (then Editor-in-Chief of Among Youths) described him as an oral artist par excellence way back in 2007, in one of the best-selling editions of the magazine, Alenne Menget had not revealed all his skills. Today, the multi-talented young Cameroonian now stands tall a documentary film producer/director and narrator you would fall in love with soon after savouring one of his works. Since we first spoke with Alenne, on his life as an artist, the Douala-based media executive has progressed ten folds, winning in every venture as he goes along. He has easily caught international attention and would be spotted

It’s obvious that Thecla Mbunwe is an asset to her country. She participates actively in the development of Cameroon from abroad. Her approach is unique – making young Cameroon either born or raised abroad useful to their country and the world. This, she does by discovering what stuff they are made of and providing the platform to explore these God-given skills. Perhaps what makes Thecla’s story even more exciting is that proceeds from whatever she does is directed into charity and the less privilege in Africa are the primary beneficiaries. Our man in Belgium went out to discover w

“I’m really pleased and at the same time surprised by all these. I didn’t know I’d get this much from people, you know. I feel really accomplished and fulfilled. It tells me, there is something that I’m doing right.”

Pandita told us this, when we contacted Cincinatti, USA-based singer to get her feeling after what has been described as an impressive reaction from the audience to the Friday April 5 release of her new gospel single video.

Just a couple of days after she emerged with her Life Don Better video, Pandita has created a record feedback commonly not common to Cameroonian audience. In fact, soon after the ‘fiche technique’ (didactic presentation of crew and other technical aspects), production photos and the video itself went online TIPTOPSTARS Friday, reactions went underway, flowing in unstoppably. In a short while, My Life Don Better had registered a good number and as well, scoring quite an impressive number of hits.

“The sky is your limit sweet heart.” – “That’s awesome, the light of God is upon you.” – “Great job Kamer lady, taking our industry to another level and praising God at the same time!” – “May you go from glory to glory in Jesus’ mighty name.” – “I love this song so much and the video is uplifting. May God bless you double double” – “Keep on girl, great music, it’s your own redeem, not copied from the Nigerian redeem.” These are example of such heart-warming messages Pandita has had from her audience so far via TIPTOPSTARS.

We pried again to know why the gospel artiste who has been living I Ohio since 2010 opted for TIPTOPSTARS to launch her new video. “Truly I’d say TIPTOPSTARS is one of the biggest names as far as a Cameroonian online magazine production is concerned. TIPTOPSTARS is very popular, credible, widely recognized and trusted. Also, the magazine has been very supportive to me and my career, combine all these together, you know. Based on these, I did not think of any better option,” the fast-rising gospel singer told Editor Ernest Kanjo.

Concurrently, there has been a similar ambiance on other social network including the famous Facebook. Friend, fans, music lovers, observers, etc, have been praising Pandita’s effort, liking and sharing the new video as they know best. To many, the young singer is focused, visionary, talented and after all, highly favoured by the Almighty God.
         
Pandita told us further: “I thank everyone for their support. I’m truly grateful and to anyone who took time to watch the video, share, like and comment, God bless you. I pray you went home with something be it an encouragement, a word of praise to God or an up-lift in your spirit. I also love to get more feedback and keep spreading the word. I love all and God bless all.”

Meanwhile, the Life Don Better video is just a couple of days old in circulation. It is recorded in Maryland, USA and directed by Wale Champion.