By Temitope Ojo

Veteran cinematographer, Tunde Kelani, has been awarded Ecran d’Honneur (Screen of Honour) at the Ecrans Noirs Film Festival in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

The honour was presented to the 70-year-old on Friday, July 13.

An out of competition award, Ecran d’Honneur is given to a director, producer, actor or any African professional film for an entire career work.

Previous recipients of the award include Gaston Kabore, Cheick Oumar Sissoko, Olu Jacobs and the late Idrissa Ouedraogo.

Speaking on the award, Kelani said “I feel truly honoured and charge African Filmmakers, young and old, currently facing economic challenges to seize advantage of rapidly evolving digital technology to keep the flag of African Cinema flying.”

Organised by Black Screens, the festival aims to disseminate cinematographic creations of six countries in Central Africa (Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic and Chad).

It is also intended as a space of reflection on the cinema and organises colloquiums, bringing together professionals, who debate on topics concerning the conditions of exercise and the evolution of this art on the African continent.