Yaoundé: YARHA festival gains Ministry of Culture support.

Now in its 12th edition, the festival aims to promote debut film productions from Africa and around the world. It provides a platform for networking and exchange among industry professionals and amateurs, while also offering training for youth in cinematic professions.

This year’s theme is “Cinema in the Africa of Tomorrow: Innovation, Solidarity, Excellence”.

The festival received an impressive 131 film submissions from 22 countries. Following a rigorous jury selection process, 47 films have been curated for the final line-up.

The current edition, which runs until February 1, 2026, has drawn delegates from Morocco, Egypt, Gabon, the Republic of Congo, Burkina Faso, Chad, Nigeria, Türkiye, Canada, and Cameroon.

The festival was inaugurated on January 25, 2026, at the Esplanade of the Yaoundé City Council Hall.

Organisers highlighted that the event features specialised workshops on Artificial Intelligence, acting, and directing. These sessions are designed to empower aspiring young filmmakers and women by equipping them with modern production and storytelling tools.

“The festival also serves as a dynamic networking platform, fostering connections between established professionals and emerging talents, while celebrating cultural and linguistic diversity,” organisers added.

During the meeting, promoter, Sylvie Nwet, accompanied by international delegates, expressed gratitude to the Minister for the consistent, multifaceted support shown to previous editions and appealed for continued backing this year.

“It was important to bring the participants to meet the Minister of Arts and Culture. As they are from different countries, this presents a positive image of Cameroon,” Nwet stated.

She further explained that a major innovation for the 2026 edition is a new partnership with Moroccan and Egyptian film festivals. 

“With this expertise, young filmmakers will be well-equipped this year,” Nwet added.

In his remarks, the Director of Cinematography and Audiovisual Production, Prof. Fai Donatus Tangem, described the YARHA Festival as a vital platform for the seventh art, showcasing talent from across Cameroon's cinematographic landscape.

“This honors Cameroonian and African culture as a whole. It is yet another reason for the Ministry to give special attention and support to this 12th edition and its promoter, Sylvie Nwet,” he said.

Addressing the delegation, Minister Bidoung Mkpatt expressed profound appreciation for Nwet's unwavering dedication, acknowledging her relentless efforts since the festival's inception to champion cinematic arts through YARHA.

According to the Minister, the festival highlights core values such as peace, social cohesion, solidarity, and artistic excellence. 

“The YARHA Festival is much more than a simple cultural event. it is a genuine platform for talent from here and elsewhere, a laboratory of ideas, and a bridge between generations and cultures,” he noted.

By Albert Njebusi

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3690 of Sunday February 01, 2026