{{Short description|Annual film festival held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}} {{Infobox Film Festival|website=[https://fespaco.org/en/welcome-to-fespaco/ FESPACO]|image=Logo du FESPACO.jpg|location=Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso|founded=1969}}
thumb|FESPACO headquarters, Ouagadougou The '''Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou''' ({{langx|fr|Festival panafricain du cinéma et de la télévision de Ouagadougou}}, or '''FESPACO''') is a film festival in Burkina Faso, held biennially in Ouagadougou, where the organization is based.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-02-24 |title=Fespaco: Africa's largest film festival turns 50 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-47348906 |access-date=2025-06-24 |language=en-GB}}</ref> It accepts for competition only films by African filmmakers and chiefly produced in Africa. FESPACO is scheduled in March every second year, two weeks after the last Saturday of February. Its opening night is held in the Stade du 4-Août, the national stadium.
The festival offers African film professionals the chance to establish working relationships, exchange ideas, and to promote their work. FESPACO's stated aim is to "contribute to the expansion and development of African cinema as means of expression, education and awareness-raising". It has also worked to establish a market for African films and industry professionals. Since FESPACO's founding, the festival has attracted attendees from across the continent and beyond.<ref name="razac">Fiche Technique du FESPACO (2003). FESPACO: Fiche Technique. Retrieved 03/26/2006 from {{cite web |url=http://www.fespaco.bf/fiche_technique2003.htm |title=Fiche Technique du FESPACO |access-date=2006-04-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040710095055/http://www.fespaco.bf/fiche_technique2003.htm |archive-date=2004-07-10 }}</ref>
==History and founding== [[File:Alimata Salembéré in FESPACO 2019.png|thumb|Festival co-founder Alimata Salimpiri, after receiving a certificate of appreciation from the Director-General of UNESCO, as a guest of honour at the 26th edition of FESPACO]] The film festival was founded as the Festival Panafricain du Cinéma et de la Télévision de Ouagadougou in 1969, at the Carthage Film Festival in Tunis. A committee at the festival involving several of the same filmmakers also laid the groundwork for the foundation of the Pan African Federation of Filmmakers (FEPACI), which was formally established in 1970.<ref name=Artxiboa>{{cite web | title=Regulations of the II Cartago International Film Festival | website=Artxiboa | date=30 July 2024 | url=https://artxiboa.sansebastianfestival.com/en/document-of-the-month/2024-07/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010033101/https://artxiboa.sansebastianfestival.com/en/document-of-the-month/2024-07/ | archive-date=10 October 2024 | url-status=live | access-date=17 June 2025| quote= In that first edition, the so-called 'father of African cinema' Ousmane Sembène won the Golden Tanit with his feature film ''La Noire de...'' (1966). After his visit to the event, he became involved with the politician Alimata Salambere in the creation of the other major festival on the African continent, the FESPACO (Festival Panafricain du Cinéma et de la Télévision de Ouagadougou), inaugurated in Burkina Faso three years later...}}</ref><ref name=martin2021>{{cite journal | last=Martin | first=Michael T. | title=The Long Take: Gaston Kaboré on the Formation, Evolution & Challenges to FEPACI & FESPACO | journal=Black Camera | publisher=Indiana University Press | volume=12 | issue=1 | date= Fall 2020 | issn=1947-4237 | pages=208–236 | doi=10.2979/blackcamera.12.1.17 | url=https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/3/article/780264 | access-date=16 June 2025}}</ref>
Alimata Salambere, the cultural minister of Burkina Faso from 1987 to 1991, was one of the founders of the festival. At its third edition in 1972, the festival was named FESPACO for short, keeping its full title as "Festival Panafricain du Cinéma et de la Télévision de Ouagadougou". FESPACO was recognized formally as an institution by governmental decree on 7 January 1972. Its award ceremony and base of operations is Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, where the annual awards ceremony is also held.{{citation needed|date=June 2025}}
In 1972, the ''Étalon de Yennenga'' award was established in honor of Princess Yennenga, the mythical founder of the Mossi empire, to reward the feature fictional or documentary film most representative of African identity.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Etalon d'or de Yennenga du FESPACO : La légende d'un grand prix convoité - leFaso.net |url=https://lefaso.net/spip.php?article88285 |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=lefaso.net |language=fr}}</ref> The first winner of the best film award was ''Le Wazzou Polygame'' by Oumarou Ganda of Niger.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Fespaco |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/specials/1551_whatisfespaco/page2.shtml |access-date=2022-05-17 |website=BBC}}</ref> Since then, the best film award has been won by directors from Cameroon, Morocco, Mali, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Ghana and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
===Evolution from 1969 to 2022=== The festival has evolved into an internationally recognized and respected event, regarded as the main event of African Cinema.<ref name="razac" />
At the festival's founding in 1969, five African nations: Upper Volta (Burkina Faso), Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Niger and Senegal, were represented, as well as France and the Netherlands. A total of 23 films were shown. At its second edition, the participant African countries rose to nine, including for the first time Algeria, Tunisia, Guinea, Mali, and Ghana, and a total of 40 films were shown. In 1983, the festival included MICA (''le Marche International du Cinema et de la television Africaine''), a market for African film stock and video footage.
From 1985 onward, the festival adopted different themes for the annual event, starting with "the cinema, people, and liberation".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Reynolds |first=Glenn |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bL3eCQAAQBAJ&dq=%22the+cinema,+people,+and+liberation%22&pg=PA7 |title=Colonial Cinema in Africa: Origins, Images, Audiences |date=2015-06-02 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-7864-7985-6 |language=en}}</ref> The theme for the 2007 festival was "the actor in the creation and promotion of African films".<ref name="abdoul">Arte > FESPACO > Bala Hama. Festival de FESPACO. Interview Baba Hama. Retrieved 03/24/2006 from {{cite web |url=http://archives.arte-tv.com/fr/archive_221960.html |title=ARTE > Fespaco > Baba Hama |access-date=2006-04-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130117110434/http://archives.arte-tv.com/fr/archive_221960.html |archive-date=2013-01-17 }}</ref>
As the festival became more prominent, its budget and sponsors increased; the donor countries include Burkina Faso, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Republic of China. Donor organizations include AIF (ACCT), PNUD, UNESCO,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-02-22 |title=Action! UNESCO supports women and cinema in Africa at FESPACO |url=https://en.unesco.org/creativity/events/action-unesco-supports-women-cinema-africa-fespaco |access-date=2022-07-14 |website=Diversity of Cultural Expressions |language=en}}</ref> UNICEF, European Union and Africalia. Due to its international recognition, FESPACO has enabled African filmmakers to show their talents and sell their products in the international market, as well as to promote development of African products and technicians in the industry<ref name="komdole">Arte > FESPACO > Introduction. Festival de FESPACO, Introduction sur le FESPACO. Retrieved 03/20/2006 from {{cite web |url=http://archives.arte-tv.com/fr/archive_221464.html |title=ARTE > Fespaco > Introduction |access-date=2006-04-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130117092240/http://archives.arte-tv.com/fr/archive_221464.html |archive-date=2013-01-17 }}</ref>′.<ref name="skarjac">Arte > Fespaco > Palmares et bilan. (2003). Festival de FESPACO. Bilan du Festival – FESPACO 2003. Retrieved 03/25/2006 from [https://archive.today/20070528080828/http://archives-arte-tv.com/fr/archive_221476.html]</ref>
The delegate generals of FESPACO since 1972 have been Louis Tombiano, from 1972 to 1982; Alimata Salembere, from 1982 to 1984; Filippe Savadogo, from 1984 to 1996, Baba Hama, from 1996 to 2008, Michel Ouedraogo, from 2008 to 2014, Ardiouma Soma, from 2014 to 2020, and Alex Moussa Sawadogo,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-02-25 |title=Alex Moussa Sawadogo veut "ramener les professionnels du cinéma au cœur" du Fespaco |url=https://www.francetvinfo.fr/monde/afrique/burkina-faso/alex-moussa-sawadogo-veut-ramener-les-professionnels-du-cinema-au-coeur-du-fespaco_4306821.html |access-date=2022-05-20 |website=Franceinfo |language=fr-FR}}</ref> from 2020 until present day.{{when|date=June 2025}}
The new headquarters of FESPACO (previously located in the premises of the Economic and Social Council near the Roundabout of the United States) and work on which began in 1994, was inaugurated in 2005 not far from the African Cinematheque.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Glez |first=Damien |date=2018-09-25 |title=[Chronicle] Fespaco: wizards to save cinema? |url=https://www.jeuneafrique.com/634487/societe/chronique-fespaco-des-sorciers-pour-sauver-le-cinema/ |website=jeuneafrique}}</ref>
The ransacking of the French Institute during demonstrations following the coup d'état of September 2022 deprived the festival of two screening rooms in the city centre.{{citation needed|date=June 2025}}
==Main initiatives== * African international film and television market: FESPACO is a festival that promotes African filmmakers and facilitates the screening of all African films. This unique festival in Africa enables contacts and exchange between film and audiovisual professionals of Africa and also contributes to the expansion and development of African cinema as a means of expression, education and awareness rising.<ref name="razac" /> * Promotion of African cinema and culture: African cinema is promoted through publication of catalogues, FESPACO news, FESPACO newsletter, and maintenance of an African film library, which has film archives and a data bank. In addition, it supports a traveling cinema. As the festival allows exclusively African films in competition, it supports raising the quality of African films and the filmmakers.<ref name="abdoul" /> * Non-profit screenings in rural areas: FESPACO also promotes non-profit screenings in rural areas, in collaboration with non-governmental organizations or associations in schools and other public or private institutions.<ref name="sawadogo">[https://www.afrik.com/evolution-du-fespaco-depuis-sa-naissance "Evolution du Fespaco depuis sa naissace"]. Interview de Alimata Salambere (04/03/2005). Retrieved 03/25/2006.</ref> * Promotion of African cinema in other international festivals: FESPACO organizes various film events, such as film week and film premieres. It also promotes African cinema in other international festivals.<ref name="komdole"/> * MINIFESPACO: promotion of FESPACO in national events. FESPACO organized MINIFESPACO, held in Ouahigouya (Burkina Faso) from 5 to 8 June 2013, at [http://biblioolvido.org/?lang=fr Institut Olvido], to extend audiences for African films.<ref name="felix">[http://www.ouahigouya.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=99:fespaco-2013-les-12-meilleurs-films-seront-projetes-a-ouahigouya&catid=1:latest-news "FESPACO 2013: les 12 meilleurs films seront projetés à Ouahigouya"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921055114/http://www.ouahigouya.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=99:fespaco-2013-les-12-meilleurs-films-seront-projetes-a-ouahigouya&catid=1:latest-news |date=2013-09-21 }} Retrieved 05/29/2013.</ref> The first edition was held from June 5 to 8, 2013 and allowed the screening of a dozen films selected for the 2013 edition.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wikiwix Archive - Unknown page |url=http://www.ouahigouya.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=99:fespaco-2013-les-12-meilleurs-films-seront-projetes-a-ouahigouya&catid=1:latest-news#federation=archive.wikiwix.com&tab=url |archive-url=https://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/index2.php?url=http://www.ouahigouya.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=99:fespaco-2013-les-12-meilleurs-films-seront-projetes-a-ouahigouya&catid=1:latest-news#federation=archive.wikiwix.com&tab=url |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-06-15 |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=archive.wikiwix.com}}</ref>
== Awards == {{main|List of FESPACO award winners}} The most prestigious award of the festival is the ''"Étalon d'or de Yennenga"'' (''Golden Stallion of Yennenga'' or short ''Golden Stallion''<ref>Orlando, Valerie K. African Studies Review 56, no. 2 (2013): 229–31. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43904954.</ref>), named after the legendary founder of the Mossi empire.<ref>{{cite book | last = Sheldon | first = Kathleen E. | title = Historical Dictionary of Women in Sub-Saharan Africa | publisher = Scarecrow Press | year = 2005 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=36BViNOAu3sC | isbn =0-8108-5331-0 | page = 272 }}</ref> The ''"Étalon d'or de Yennenga"'' is awarded to the African film that best shows "Africa's realities".
Other special awards include the Oumarou Ganda Prize, given for the best first film, and the Paul Robeson Prize for the best film by a director of the African diaspora. (The latter is named for a major 20th-century American actor, singer and civil rights activist in the United States.)
=== Ouagawood === Ouagawood is the name given to the African film industry whose films are presented in Ouagadougou during FESPACO.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=About Fespaco |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/specials/1551_whatisfespaco/page5.shtml |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=BBC}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Tshidimba |first=Karin |date=2024-03-28 |title=Voir Ouaga et revenir |url=https://www.lalibre.be/culture/cinema/2011/03/23/voir-ouaga-et-revenir-TVNEVEQMEZHTDEVX37GKSNWBSU/ |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=La Libre.be |language=fr}}</ref> It was used for the first time by a BBC journalist<ref name=":0" /> and the daily ''La Libre Belgique'' during FESPACO 2011.<ref name=":1" />
The term "Ouagawood" is a portmanteau combining Ouaga, the diminutive of "Ouagadougou", capital of Burkina Faso, and that of another symbol of the film industry, "Hollywood" (similar to Bollywood and Nollywood). This name did not however gain popularity.
==See also== {{portal|Film|Television}} * African cinema * Africa Movie Academy Awards * FESPACO 2023 * Film festivals in Africa * List of television festivals
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
== External links == * [http://www.fespaco.bf The official Fespaco site] * [http://www.rfi.fr/actuen/pages/001/page_46.asp Fespaco 2009 coverage on RFI English site] * [http://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/findingaids/view?docId=VAC1060.xml&brand=general&startDoc=1 FESPACO Collection at Indiana University Bloomington Black Film Center/Archive] * [https://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/networkafrica/news/story/2007/02/070225_fespaco2007.shtml BBC Coverage of FESPACO 2007 (with interviews and audio)] * [https://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/africa/fespaco2005/ BBC Coverage of 2005 FESPACO]
{{Cinema of Burkina Faso}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Panafrican Film And Television Festival Of Ouagadougou}} Category:Film festivals in Burkina Faso Category:Ouagadougou Category:Television festivals Category:Film festivals about African cinema Category:Arts organisations based in Burkina Faso Category:Biennial events Category:Film festivals established in 1969 Category:1969 establishments in Upper Volta