The Minister of Arts and Culture – MINAC Pierre Ismael Bidoung Mpwatt received in audience in Yaounde on April 27, the guests of honor from the Cameroon International Film Festival – CAMIFF.

Led by the festival’s founder and CEO, Agbor Ebot Gilbert, the delegation included international icons such as Blair Erwin Underwood, who joined local industry stakeholders to celebrate the conclusion of the festival’s 2026 edition.

The meeting served as a post-event briefing following the festival’s grand closing ceremony, which took place on April 25 at the Buea Wall of Fame after a productive week of masterclasses, workshops, and film screenings.

​During the session, Agbor Ebot Gilbert presented a report of the week’s activities and expressed deep gratitude for the government’s support and representative presence at the closing ceremony. The CAMIFF team used the platform to table several strategic requests aimed at bolstering the domestic entertainment sector.

Key proposals included the construction of dedicated cinema halls in major cities like Bamenda, Buea, Douala, and Yaoundé, as well as a plea for the government to grant honorary citizenship to international icons with Cameroonian roots, specifically highlighting Blair Underwood’s identification with his heritage.

​In response, the Minister of Arts and Culture commended the organizing committee, describing their efforts as a profound demonstration of patriotism and a vital contribution to the nation’s creative economy. He assured the delegation that CAMIFF remains a point of reference for the ministry, as its objectives align directly with the government’s mission to promote cinema and creative industries.

To address the challenges faced by the organizers, the Minister announced the creation of a special reflection group tasked with evaluating the festival’s requests and developing a funding strategy to be submitted to higher hierarchy.

​The audience concluded with a traditional display of hospitality, as the guests were presented with handmade bags inscribed with “Greetings from Cameroon.” The Minister encouraged the CAMIFF leadership to remain patient and persistent, reiterating that the government is committed to finding sustainable solutions for the advancement of the film industry.

This engagement marks a significant step toward deeper institutional collaboration, potentially leading to the formal inauguration of the Bidoung MKPATT Wall of Fame in Buea and the modernization of Cameroon’s cinematic infrastructure.