Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso: A Resilient Nation Through the Lens
In a testament to this determination, the Pan-African Film Festival opened in the capital, Ouagadougou, in October 2021, defying pandemic challenges and security concerns. The festival underscores Burkina Faso’s commitment to its film industry, emphasising the employment opportunities it generates, even in challenging times.
The documentaries showcased at the festival offer a unique glimpse into the country’s struggles and triumphs. “Kadoua and The Elephants,” set in the impoverished south, explores biodiversity preservation amid deforestation and terrorist attacks. “The Man Who Stopped The Desert,” released in 2010, tells the remarkable story of Yacouba Sawadogo, who revived agriculture in a region plagued by desertification.
Documentary filmmaking in Burkina Faso comes with its own set of challenges, including sandstorms and extreme heat, particularly in the desert region. Still, the stories of resilience are worth capturing.
For feature films and television productions, the cities of Ouagadougou, Bobo-Dioulasso, and Ouahigouya offer intriguing locations. Ouagadougou, with its Ouaga 2000 district, presents distinct architectural wonders, including the Monument Des Heros Nationaux, a unique blend of the Eiffel Tower and 1960s spaceship design.
For traditional Burkinabé architecture, Tiébélé in the Kassena village is known for elaborately painted mud huts. Loropéni, near the Ivory Coast border, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcasing ruins of an ancient fortress.
In the western region of Burkina Faso, filmmakers can explore national parks, elephant and crocodile sanctuaries, lakes, and waterfalls. Bobo-Dioulasso, or “Bobo,” offers a relaxed atmosphere and serves as a great base for shoots at Tengrela Lake, home to crocodiles, and the Karfiguela Waterfall.
Regardless of your production’s nature, African Fixer is your guide to scouting the best locations and planning your trip in Burkina Faso, a nation of resilience and untold stories.