Lights Out: Cameroonian movie makes history at America's premier Black Film Festival.

The announcement was made at a press conference held on Saturday May 9, 2026 at Gilgal Tower in Limbe, South West Region, the very hotel where the film's cast and crew resided during videographic and photographic shooting of the movie.

The selection is widely believed to be a first because no Cameroonian artistic production is known to have competed at this level at the ABFF before. 

Lights Out is one of only four international films chosen for the competitive section, standing alongside productions from Brazil, United Kingdom, and other nations. It is eligible to win the Grand Jury Prize for Best International Narrative Feature.

The narrative centres on Lucas, a retired security guard played by award-winning British-Nigerian actor, Wale Ojo, who is placed in a dementia care facility following his daughter's disappearance. 

As his memory deteriorates, Lucas must determine whether he is losing his grip on reality or uncovering a truth that others are determined to keep buried. The film places the audience inside a mind struggling to hold onto what is real, demanding empathy before judgment.

The story is not simply a work of imagination. Producer, Carista Asonganyi, recounts the personal origins of the film drawing from her own family history; her grandmother's experience with dementia. 

Enah Johnscott, the Director, said it carries a deliberate social mission: to sensitise families, healthcare workers and communities across Africa on the realities of cognitive decline. The filmmakers noted that no dedicated dementia care homes currently exist in Cameroon, a gap they are actively working to bring to public attention with the movie.

Outstanding production team   

A dedicated and tested team leads the production. Enah Johnscott, said the ABFF selection is the latest chapter in a career that has consistently positioned Cameroonian filmmaking on the international map. His previous feature, The Fisherman's Diary, is available on Netflix. 

He was recently recognised as Best Director at Cameroon International Film Festival, CAMIFF 2026, a distinction from within Cameroon that has now been validated by international selection.

Meanwhille, Half Heaven, produced by Carista Asonganyi, served as Cameroon's official submission for Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards and is now available on Prime Video. 

In addition, the film's casting unites talents from across the continent and the diaspora. Alongside lead actor, Wale Ojo, winner of the AMVCA Best Lead Actor prize in 2024 for Breath of Life, the film stars Elizabeth Ngongang Wandji, a veteran of Cameroonian cinema with over 30 screen credits, an LFC Best Actress award, and induction into the Cameroon Wall of Fame in April 2025. Supporting the leads are celebrated Nollywood artiste, Shaffy Bello, and producer, Syndy Emade, and a cast that includes Brenda Shey Elung and Sylvia Nchini Bright, amongst others. 

The selection honours the culture of the country as the story, location and everything about the film takes place in Limbe, the South West Region. 

“Lights Out is intended to spark conversations that move beyond fear and toward awareness and care,” Buh Melvin, the writer and co-producer, said. 

The ABFF, founded in 1997 by Jeff Friday, celebrates its 30th anniversary this year under the theme “Homecoming”, and will be held from May 27 to 31, 2026 in Miami Beach, Florida, USA. 

The festival attracts Hollywood distributors, international broadcasters, press and industry leaders from across the globe. This year's edition features Academy Award-winning actress and director, Regina King, as Festival Ambassador, alongside talents including Jamie Foxx, Marsai Martin, Courtney B. Vance and Chloe Bailey.

Following the ABFF competitive screening at the end of this month, Lights Out will have its U.S. East Coast premiere on May 31, 2026 at Phoenix Theatres Lennox Town Centre in Columbus, Ohio, USA. On June 1, the film will roll out to Côte d'Ivoire and other African countries, with further digital platforms and cinema distribution expected.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3786 of Monday May 11, 2026