Before the 20th edition of the FIFA World Cup kicked off in Brazil, the flag of Cameroon began flying high.

At the 9th edition of the Africa Brazil Movie Awards, Cameroonian film maker and performer, Tommy Germain Adiang distinguished himself, winning the Best Actor Award in Brazil, alongside popular Brazilian performer, Ailton Graça.

The latter features in the novella ‘Avenida Brazil’, which is broadcast on GloboTV, the biggest TV station in Brazil.

Organised by the Governor of the State of Sao Paulo in collaboration with the African Cultural Centre in Brazil, the Africa Brazil Movie Awards recognised the efforts put in by Africans and Brazilians in building a positive image and a better future for the society.

According to award-winner, Adiang, there is a new twist to his career now.”This award adds many things to my career as an artist in Brazil and across the world.

Besides raising my value, giving me a new status, it brings a plus to my finances too,” he noted.

Adiang said he is now a reference of African actors in Brazil and in the international scene, with the potentials of a first choice performer in the eyes of movie producers.

“I’m a front-pager in newspapers and magazines across Brazil. It is not an everyday fit in the competitive world of the silver screen and in a country like Brazil and in Latin America,” the Cameroonian mentioned.

He placed his success on the endless quest for perfection, studying the techniques of the trade and exploiting learning opportunities in Brazil and the USA.

“If you want to be a successful artist, you must be ready to learn, go for the best and be focused in your goal,” he added.

On what his best moment has been so far in the business of the silver screen, Adiang noted; “Interpreting a character, no matter how meaningless the viewer thinks the character is.

I have to do my best for this character to look like the main character in the trauma by playing him or her as best as I can. Of course the standing ovation and applause from the crowd are priceless; hence, I am more than motivated to keep going for the best.”

While Adiang continues to look forward to greater things in his career, he has this message to aspiring and existing Cameroonian actors; “Never be bullied into silence.

Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life. Define yourself. Until you are ready to look foolish, you'll never have the opportunity of being great. And no matter where you come from, your dream is real...”

Though the Africa Brazil Awards have been ongoing since 2006, the Cameroonian is the first African to break the Brazilian hegemony, threading the path where many Brazilians have been to.