It is the move every Cameroon entertainment fan has been waiting for. Daphne — the singer behind continental hits like "Calée" and "Rastafarey" — has confirmed her first lead acting role in a feature film, with principal photography beginning in Yaoundé this summer.
The project, titled "Golden", is a contemporary love story set against the backdrop of Cameroon's music industry. Daphne plays Aïcha, a young singer-songwriter from Bamenda chasing her break in Yaoundé while navigating family pressure, a complicated relationship with a producer, and an industry that does not always reward talent on its own.
The Team Behind "Golden"
"Golden" is being produced by a Yaoundé-based independent studio in co-production with a Paris-based francophone distributor. The director — whose name will be announced at the official press launch next month — has a track record across both Nollywood and FESPACO-recognised francophone African cinema.
The production budget, while not disclosed, is described by sources close to the project as "the largest independent film budget ever assembled for a Cameroonian-led project". A 90-day shoot is planned across Yaoundé, Bafoussam and the Limbe coastline.
What Daphne Said
"Music will always be home for me. But I have always loved storytelling, and 'Golden' is a story I needed to tell. Aïcha could be any girl in any neighbourhood of Yaoundé right now. We owe her this film."
What This Means For Cameroon Cinema
The casting is significant beyond Daphne's star power. Cameroonian cinema has historically struggled to retain its biggest francophone talents on home soil — many drift to Paris or Abidjan for film work. A flagship project starring Daphne, shot in Yaoundé, with a Cameroonian crew, is exactly the kind of statement the industry has been waiting for.
- Casting calls open in May for supporting roles and extras
- Principal photography begins July, runs through October
- Theatrical release targeted for Q2 next year
- Festival circuit submissions planned for FESPACO and Cannes' Marché du Film
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