FESPACO Film Festival in Ouagadougou Spotlights African Storytelling

Today marks the opening of the 28th edition of the Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO), Africa’s largest film festival, held in Burkina Faso’s capital city, Ouagadougou. Founded in 1969, FESPACO is a leading platform for African filmmakers to showcase their work and promote African storytelling to global audiences. This year’s festival, running from February 25 to March 4, places a particular emphasis on themes of resilience, heritage, and the diversity of African experiences.

This year’s edition of FESPACO features over 100 films selected from across Africa, spanning multiple genres, including feature films, documentaries, and short films. The festival aims to celebrate the African identity through cinema, highlighting the continent’s unique narratives, cultures, and perspectives. Countries represented include Nigeria, South Africa, Senegal, Kenya, and Ethiopia, with entries also from the African diaspora.

The festival’s opening film, The Last Hero by Nigerian director Tunde Akinnagbe, premiered today, receiving a warm welcome from festival-goers. The film explores themes of legacy and community resilience, setting the tone for FESPACO’s focus on storytelling that resonates with African audiences. Additionally, FESPACO includes a competitive section, with the coveted Étalon d’Or (Golden Stallion) award given to the best film at the end of the festival.

Alongside screenings, the festival offers a variety of events and programs designed to facilitate dialogue and knowledge-sharing among filmmakers, producers, and industry professionals. Key events include panel discussions, workshops, and a special focus on women in African cinema, highlighting their contributions to storytelling and providing a platform for rising female directors.

The FESPACO marketplace, which opens today, connects African filmmakers with distributors and financiers from around the world, fostering opportunities for co-productions and film sales. Organizers noted that this year’s marketplace is expected to attract significant attention from international buyers, indicating a growing interest in African cinema.

“We are thrilled to welcome filmmakers, actors, and film enthusiasts from across the continent and the world to Ouagadougou,” said FESPACO’s director, Moussa Bougma, in his opening remarks. “FESPACO continues to provide a vital platform for African cinema, encouraging diverse narratives and promoting the work of African storytellers.”

The opening of FESPACO 2023 emphasizes the importance of African storytelling on a global scale. With a diverse lineup and strong international interest, FESPACO continues to be a central event for African cinema, championing the continent’s rich storytelling traditions and contemporary voices