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.