Digitalization and the democratization of filmmaking in Cameroon

From the early 70s, the film sector in Cameroon has had a long history of obstacles in financing, management, production, distribution and exploitation. The insufficiency of training facilities, funding, distribution and exploitation avenues has seriously obscured the visibility of the film sector in the country. The advent of digitalization and new technologies of Information and communication (NTICs) however has opened up avenues for young enthusiastic Cameroonian filmmakers to acquire knowledge in almost every discipline of film production, and also provided new avenues for funding, commercialization, distribution, exploitation. This paper examined the different ways in which digitalization has influenced the film sector in Cameroon. Through interviews and Focus Group Discussions with Cameroonian filmmakers and cultural entrepreneurs, it became clear that digital technologies have greatly democratized filmmaking in the country by reducing production costs, as granting greater access for the youths to knowledge on arts management, funding and fundraising, production and distribution of films. Also, thanks to digitalization, several local television stations in Cameroon and Africa now exist, which specialize in the broadcast of African and regional films. The major conclusion is that digital technologies have contributed considerably to bridging the infrastructural gap in the Cameroon film sector, especially when it comes to training, production, management and distribution.

Key words: Cultural entrepreneur, filmmaker, digital technologies, intercultural exchange.