Professor Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, Cameroon’s Minister of Arts and Culture has said cinema is a vital tool for Cameroon’s socio-economic development.

Prof Narcisee Mouelle was speaking at the Yaoundé conference centre on Saturday July 15, while opening the 2017 edition of the Ecrans Noirs film festival.

Addressing cinema lovers in the presence of Ecrans Noirs delegate and the director of TV5 monde who has been supporting the initiative for about 20 years, the Minister said giving the Cameroon cinema a face lift remains one of the major priority of his ministry.

Minister Narcisse Mouelle hailed the passion, Bassek BA KOBHIO, Ecrans Noirs’ delegate general has for the promotion of Cameroon film industry. The Arts and Culture boss reassured film lovers that his ministry is aware of the numerous problems rocking the film industry and is taking steps towards restructuring the sector.

For his parts, the delegate general in a word of thanks to partners, explained that one of the innovations of this film festival will be the initiation of the central African film market that can permit producers from around the world discover black film. He announced that during the closing of the event, a film of Rigobert Song, entitled “le frontière de la mort” will be projected. He also said parents could permit their children watch film for kids at the Solomon Muna Foundation as from the 16 to 23 July in Yaounde.  Other projections he added, will be ongoing at the Canal Olympia in Douala, national museum and the Yaoundé conference centre.

Another major highlight was the projection of award winning film of the 2017 edition of fespaco, Félicité of Alain Gomis.