ON7 Film LLC Announces World Premiere of BIYA, a Groundbreaking Cameroonian Film Set Against the Anglophone Crisis

ON7 Film LLC is proud to announce that its debut feature film, BIYA, will receive its worldwide premiere in the United States in summer 2027. Produced and directed by independent filmmaker Willy Noumo and written by Etienne Kamga, BIYA represents a landmark achievement in Cameroonian cinema as the first original film from the country to be shot entirely in Bulu and Pidgin language.

Set in the South-West region of Cameroon during the ongoing Anglophone crisis, BIYA follows the story of a woman named Biya who makes the courageous decision to flee from her husband, Mvondo, taking their young daughter, Onana, with her. Their escape quickly becomes a fight for survival as they are plunged into the dense Cameroonian forest with Mvondo in close pursuit behind them.

What begins as a personal journey of liberation soon escalates into something far more dangerous and far-reaching. During their flight, Biya witnesses a brutal execution, and in a desperate act of compassion to save a stranger, she triggers a devastating chain of tragic events that threatens to consume them all. As mother and daughter struggle against exhaustion, fear, and the unforgiving terrain, they find themselves trapped in a swamp with no clear path to safety.

Faced with what appears to be an inevitable and tragic outcome, Biya makes the ultimate sacrifice, choosing to risk her own safety and her own life to give her daughter a chance to survive. It is this act of selfless maternal love that forms the emotional core of the film and elevates it beyond a regional story into a universal narrative about the lengths a parent will go to protect their child.

The film features a talented ensemble cast that includes Julia Samantha in the title role, alongside Axel Abessolo, Gloria Bikom, Prince Sube, Yanick Dominus, Herve Nguetch, Stephanie Adjonj, and Irene Nangi, Koual Dupree, Éric Ébode, Idriss Legrand Fosso, Guy Martial Fotso, Noël Abe. Each performer brings depth and authenticity to their role, grounding the story in the lived experiences of communities affected by the Anglophone crisis.

Director Willy Noumo has expressed his ambition for BIYA to reach the highest levels of international recognition. His stated dream is for the film to receive a nomination in the Best International Feature Film category at the 100th edition of the Academy Awards. While the road to such recognition is long and competitive, the unique cultural perspective and powerful storytelling of BIYA position it as a serious contender on the global stage.

Ahead of its 2027 premiere, BIYA is currently being submitted to film festivals around the world. The festival circuit will serve as an important platform for introducing the film to international audiences, critics, and industry professionals. The team behind BIYA is confident that the film's compelling narrative, combined with its cultural significance as a pioneering work in Bulu and Pidgin language cinema, will capture the attention of festival programmers and audiences alike.

The decision to shoot the film in Bulu and Pidgin language was a deliberate and meaningful choice by the filmmakers. By telling this story in the languages spoken by the communities most directly affected by the crisis, the film achieves a level of authenticity and emotional immediacy that would not be possible in any other language. It also represents an important step in the preservation and celebration of Cameroonian linguistic heritage through the medium of cinema.

Cinema lovers around the world are encouraged to follow the journey of BIYA as it makes its way through the international film festival circuit and toward its much-anticipated premiere. The film promises to be an unforgettable cinematic experience that brings an important and often overlooked story to a global audience.

CONTACT: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581699255923&mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr

https://www.instagram.com/p/Dar47acwNIT/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581699255923&mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr