Home Archives More Women to delve into film directing Will Yaounde women’s film festival be platform?
More Women to delve into film directing Will Yaounde women’s film festival be platform?
Ernest Kanjo / Thursday, 04 March 2010 09:43

MisMeBingaThough considered as embryonic, Cameroon's film industry is four decades old. Within this period, there has been a remarkable involvement of women. There is hardly any artistic or technical crew that sets out for a movie project without women on board. Their presence at locations is always significant.

Usually, they would prepare the beautiful costumes and make sure the actors are properly clad in them. They would display their make-up prowess on actors' faces, giving out just what the director desires. Perhaps, their most significant role is "welfare". Since actors and directors are red carpet personalities, the women make sure they are well fed, taking into consideration quantity and quality.

Unfortunately, the role of women, for over 40 years has not gone beyond these. They have hardly stood behind the cameras to call the shots. Ask why it is an issue. It is established that directing is the most prestigious aspect of filmmaking. So, does it mean when it is juicy, women should be left out, whereas, directing is something they too can do?

This is a reflection that has inspired GIC VIDEO STAR, a film common initiative group, mostly made up students of the Performing Arts and Cinematography Department of the University of Yaounde I. To get women on board and encourage them to direct films, the CIG is organizing a festival to their honour. Dubbed Mis Me Binga, the festival will take place in Yaounde from 4 to 8 March 2010, with three major aspects: a round-table conference to discuss strides women have made and how far they could go, film projects and film contest.

Dozens of films (including some from English-speaking Cameroon), directed and produced by women have been lined up for projection at the Goethe-Institut, the French Cultural Centre and the Nkomkana Youth Centre in Yaounde. Also on the programme will be films from other countries including Namibia, Germany, Israel, Finland, Spain, Canada and Japan. Sixteen of the films lined up for projection will contest in three chosen categories: best fiction, best documentary and best actress.

At a press conference last week in Yaounde, organizers of Mis Me Binga hoped the initiative would change the current phase of film making, not only in Cameroon, but in the Central African sub region and the rest of Africa.  "We think women have potentials that must be exploited. So why shouldn't they get behind the cameras and direct the films?" GIC Video Star's Martial Nguea questioned rhetorically. To him, Mis Me Binga which has come to stay should face the challenge and get female filmmakers out of the doldrums of unpopularity as far as directing is concerned. Otherwise, Nguea didn't why in 40, the country would only boast of about 15 female filmmakers, producing not more than two films per decade. "We think the time has come to redress the situation," the young film maker said.

The first edition of Mis Me Binga is now a reality, thanks to partners including the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Women's Affair and the Family, the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Goethe-Institut Kamerun and French Cultural Centre. Media partners such as Vox Africa, Vision 4 and Radio Campus have also been prominent.

Some films on the Mis Me Binga schedule:

·       Sister in Law (Cameroon) by Kim Longintho & Florence Ayissi

·       Bongfen (Cameroon) by Sunjo Petra

·       The Last Bus (Germany) by Maria Hensse

·       Nairobi Love Story (Gernmany) by Maria Weber

·       Lily Festival (Japan) by Sachi Hamanu

·       Rape (Cameroon) by Naah Joyce

·       Cries at Night (Namibia) by Oshesheni Hiveluah KAM by Astrid Atodji

·       La Divorce (Gabon) by Manouchka Labouba

·       Dans l'Ombre d'une autre (Cameroon) by Francine Kemegni


TTS/MTDV ARCHIVES

BLESSED WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS

BLESSED WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS

Effortlessly, Blessing Ekiko flexes her skills and talent in domains across the board. The brilliant communicator who also hails from a civil society background (founder of Blessing Ekiko Global Impact,... Read more

TTS Be the first to comment! 18 Nov 2022 Hits:3015 Latest

INRG-"Inventing a New Revolutionary Genr…

INRG-

 A provocative blend of Smooth Jazz, Classical, African, Reggae, Hip-Hop and R&B,  is that of the  Talented Musical Duo of the cameroonian Blaise Christian Sitchet "Le Grand Sitch"... Read more

TTS Be the first to comment! 05 May 2011 Hits:9944 INTERVIEWS

African Cocktail: Solomon Atah mentioned…

African Cocktail: Solomon Atah mentioned as show’s hero

Mention the name Solomon Atah to any Cameroonian living in South Africa and be sure to have a positive remark! “He’s one ingenuous Cameroonian I’d bet for any day, anytime.... Read more

TTS Be the first to comment! 28 May 2014 Hits:8827 Latest

TIPTOPSTARS expands horizons

TIPTOPSTARS expands  horizons

TIPTOPSTARS is growing from lips and bound. The entertainment portal, call it online magazine now has a correspondent in Belgium. Journalist Titus Banyoh becomes our first correspondent and bureau... Read more

Ernest Kanjo Comments(1) 20 Apr 2012 Hits:13224 Latest

Cameroonian movie: The Brothers awaited

Cameroonian movie: The Brothers awaited

Cameroon says welcome to another movie produced by one of her illustrious sons in the diaspora this August. According to Terence Fomunung, The Brothers will be premiered in Cameroon,... Read more

Ernest Kanjo Comments(2) 24 Jun 2011 Hits:91841 Movies

“Go Vote” – erstwhile BAAM singer urges …

“Go Vote” – erstwhile BAAM singer urges generational mates

It is a little rare for young English-speaking Cameroon musicians to get so deep into painting their country’s political landscape. Most of them would rather duel on softer themes... Read more

Ernest Kanjo Be the first to comment! 08 Aug 2013 Hits:5803 Latest

Stanley Enow en route to number two

Stanley Enow en route to number two

The artist may not be in any respect trying to obstruct what has turned out to be an unending appetite for Hein Pere. He just has to move forward, at... Read more

Ernest Kanjo Be the first to comment! 16 Feb 2014 Hits:7700 Latest

Buea: Cameroonian fashion on display in …

Buea: Cameroonian fashion on display in March

If some Cameroonian youths are aromatizing music and cinema with their God-given skills, others are doing same for fashion designing and modeling. Many more young Cameroonians are picking up the... Read more

TTS Be the first to comment! 02 Feb 2012 Hits:23671 STAR CORNER

COMBATING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

COMBATING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

When children see or experience violence (perpetrated by their parents) at home, they might end up being perpetrators of abuse in their own homes. What role can involved parenting play... Read more

TTS Be the first to comment! 29 May 2022 Hits:2734 Latest

USA: Twin kids expose modeling dreams

 USA: Twin kids expose modeling dreams

In a society where talents and interests are quickly identified, nurtured, tapped and utilized, persons who show up have a ready-made rendezvous with success. Hannah Agbor Agbor (4.1 feet-tall) and... Read more

Ernest Kanjo Be the first to comment! 18 Aug 2014 Hits:6934 Latest

“With locally made tripod rails, we did …

“With locally made tripod rails, we did a great job” Elvis Tanwie aka De Daddies, film director

Film maker Elvis Tanwie aka De Daddies hardly finds time to have a respite. He shuttles between one project to the other. It’s less than 72 hours since he completed... Read more

Ernest Kanjo Be the first to comment! 07 Mar 2012 Hits:6811 STAR CORNER

Blogging: NexDimEmpire wins more admirat…

Blogging: NexDimEmpire wins more admiration

Usually described as Africa in miniature,  Cameroon has more than enough to show in music, cinema, fashion, craft, cuisine. Examples abound. Yet the media, especially the print pay very little... Read more

TTS Be the first to comment! 23 Feb 2012 Hits:7009 Latest

APEX1RADIO : ON AFRICAN FIESTA THIS WEEK

APEX1RADIO : ON AFRICAN FIESTA THIS WEEK

Promise Akanteh is a refined Journalist who also takes interest in promoting arts and culture. On her radio show, CULTURAL VIBES, produced on Royal FM Yaounde, the host and her... Read more

TTS Be the first to comment! 20 Aug 2021 Hits:2468 Latest

John Ever Fresh on Set

John Ever Fresh on Set

If he is not reading or riding on horse back for leisure, Nkemontoh Pewing John is acting. For the university graduate from Dschang, acting is his thing. He likes and... Read more

Ernest Kanjo Be the first to comment! 16 Mar 2010 Hits:6736 STAR CORNER

Gospel: Pandita’s Life Don Better video …

Gospel: Pandita’s Life Don Better video records impressive feedback

“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... Read more

Ernest Kanjo Be the first to comment! 08 Apr 2013 Hits:5463 Latest

Shiri Achu Arts set to paint Washington

Shiri Achu Arts set to paint Washington

Washington DC, the world’s strongest political capital, is a very beautiful city. DC, as it is affectionately known will be more beautiful as from May 15, 2016. This will be... Read more

Ernest Kanjo Be the first to comment! 16 Apr 2016 Hits:7852 Latest

Challenge Village - Africa in Miniature …

Challenge Village - Africa in Miniature in the heart of Europe

With Over   8000 cameroonians and visitors -The 20th  Edition Challenge Camerounais  (JUNE 10- 13Th 2011) dubbed this year as  'Kamerun festival' is  a Showcase of the Cameroonian culture  in... Read more

TTS Be the first to comment! 10 Jun 2011 Hits:6555 CHALLENGE CAMEROONAIS

Pink Poison Reloaded in studio

Pink Poison Reloaded in studio

There is rising anxiety as Cameroonian movie fans await the eventual release of Pink Poison Reloaded, recently shot. Reports say the movie is undergoing post-production in a Nigerian film studio.... Read more

Ernest Kanjo Be the first to comment! 17 Apr 2013 Hits:7337 MOVIES

Myra Maimoh - A sensation at 'Challenge …

Myra Maimoh - A sensation at 'Challenge Camerounais' 2011

Myra Maimoh who in an Exclusive Interview(here )  with TTS  im March 2011 said " .. I am a  go-getter. I love challenges and hate failure with a passion and... Read more

Francis Njinjoh Be the first to comment! 05 Jun 2011 Hits:14867 CHALLENGE CAMEROONAIS

Movies: Cobweb to win hearts in Cameroon…

Movies: Cobweb to win hearts in Cameroon, beyond

Come February 2014, the Cameroonian film industry will be one movie richer. Cobweb, a film directed by Musing Derick is in gestation. Producers of the up-coming movie say Cobweb... Read more

Ernest Kanjo Be the first to comment! 20 Dec 2013 Hits:8847 MOVIES

Cameroonian movie: Incubus out of incuba…

Cameroonian movie: Incubus out of incubator soon

Cameroon is bracing up to give a hilarious welcome to yet another movie. Incubus, emerging from the incubator on May 1 will join the cue of Cameroonian movies lined up... Read more

Ernest Kanjo Comments(1) 22 Apr 2012 Hits:8314 MOVIES

418293622 7484176181616363_8241778451874313913_n


LATEST COMMENTS

  • Well, I think the CEA was a very shallow and misgu... More...
  • This is creativity we are talking about, this are ... More...
  • Lovelyn,your pre-selection criterias are ok but i'... More...
  • camhood 4 the better More...
  • fame is gd More...
  • CONGRATULATION. THANK GOD FOR YOU GUYS. CAMEROON S... More...
  • cool girls dat was great but this year we the cons... More...