burkina faso
Why Film in burkina faso?
Burkina Faso has a proud film heritage and striking Sahelian culture, mud architecture and rock landscapes, but much of the country is now affected by insurgency, so productions must be planned with exceptional care and honesty.
- A proud cinema heritage and the FESPACO festival
- The great mud Grand Mosque of Bobo-Dioulasso
- The Sindou Peaks and Fabedougou domes
- The painted Kassena houses of Tiébélé
- Sudano-Sahelian mud architecture
- Rich craft, bronze and weaving traditions
- Vibrant music and drumming culture
- Handled responsibly, with careful safety assessment
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Capital City
Ouagadougou
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Main Cities
Ouagadougou, Bobo-Dioulasso and Koudougou
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Main Languages
French (official); Mooré, Dioula and others
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Currency
West African CFA Franc (XOF)
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Climate
Sahel — hot and dry, with a short rainy season
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Weather
Burkina Faso has two main seasons. The rainy season (May–October) has high humidity and frequent rain. The dry season (November–March) is hot but offers clear skies, making it the best time for filming.
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Best Time to Shoot
November to February (cooler dry season)
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Main Production Hubs
Ouagadougou
Production Services
Our Burkina Faso production services include:
- Local Producers
- Film Fixers
- Production Management
- Film, Video & Stills Crew
- Camera Equipment
- Lighting & Grip
- Drone Operators
- Location Scouting
- Film Permits
- Casting
- Transport & Logistics
- Crew & Cast Accommodation
- Security
- Catering
Crew & Equipment
Burkina Faso has a notable local film community, but productions are subject to a careful assessment of feasibility and safety in the current environment.
Local fixers, producers and crew can support where conditions allow. Senior technical crew and specialist equipment are generally brought in from the region.
Productions must plan around significant security and logistical challenges, building in flexibility, contingency and specialist advice.
Top Filming Locations
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Ouagadougou
The capital city has modern buildings, traditional markets, and colonial-style architecture, making it a great filming location.
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Bobo-Dioulasso
Known for its rich culture, lively music scene, and the historic Grand Mosque, this city has a vibrant atmosphere.
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Sindou Peaks
These unique rock formations create a dramatic landscape, perfect for adventure and fantasy films.
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Banfora Waterfalls
A beautiful series of waterfalls surrounded by greenery, ideal for nature-focused shoots.
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Lake Tengrela
A peaceful lake with hippos and birds, offering a scenic setting for wildlife documentaries.
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Loropéni Ruins
A UNESCO World Heritage site with ancient stone structures, adding historical depth to any film.
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Grand Marché, Ouagadougou
A vast central market
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Grand Mosque of Bobo-Dioulasso
Iconic mud-and-stick architecture
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Bobo-Dioulasso old town (Kibidwe)
Historic quarter
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Domes of Fabedougou
Beehive rock formations
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Tiébélé
Painted Kassena houses
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Nazinga Ranch
Elephants in the south
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Sudano-Sahelian mud architecture
Distinctive earthen buildings
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Sahel landscapes
Vast dry plains
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Markets & bronze craft
Traditional metalwork
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Traditional villages
Rural Burkinabè life
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Baobab & savanna
Iconic trees and grassland
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Weaving & textile craft
Handmade cloth
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Music & drumming culture
Rich performance traditions
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Ouagadougou cinema heritage
Studios and film history
Best Time to Shoot
- November to February — The cooler dry season and the most workable window
- FESPACO takes place biennially in Ouagadougou (weather permitting)
- March to May is extremely hot before the rains
- June to October is the short, intense rainy season
Visa Requirements
International crew members need a visa before entering Burkina Faso. The process includes:
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Required Documentation
Valid international passport (minimum six months validity), Standard passport-sized photos, Health and travel insurance, International Yellow Fever vaccination card Hotel booking confirmation (minimum of 3 nights), Invitation letter from a local contact, Return flight ticket
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Timings
10 to 20 days
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Cost
$350
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Additional Requirements
Yellow Fever vaccination is mandatory for entry.
International Crew Accreditation
For large productions and government-related projects, crew accreditation is needed.
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Required Documentation
Valid international passport, Approved visa, Project synopsis
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Timings
5 to 10 working days
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Cost
$500 per person (may be waived for private projects)
General Film Permit
The Ministry of Communications, Arts, and Culture issues film permits, which must be obtained before filming starts.
Drone Permit
Drone regulations in Burkina Faso are strict, especially near security-sensitive areas.
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Importation Regulations
Generally not permitted; local drone operators are preferred.
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Permit Issuance
Ministry of Aviation
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Required Documentation
Project synopsis, Coordinates of filming locations
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Timings
14 to 30 working days
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Cost
$1,000 to $3,000, depending on project scope and location
Equipment Customs Clearance
Burkina Faso does not use the Carnet system, so special customs clearance is required for filming gear.
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Clearance Process
A detailed list of equipment, including serial numbers, must be submitted before arrival.
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Required Documentation
Customs authorities require a full gear list with estimated values, used to calculate a refundable bond deposit before equipment is allowed into the country.
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Issuing Organization
Burkina Faso Customs Authority
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Timings
1 to 3 working days
Safety and Security
Important: Burkina Faso is affected by a serious jihadist insurgency, and large parts of the country are under “do not travel” advisories, with elevated risk even around the capital. African Fixer assesses every project’s safety, feasibility and insurance carefully, and will only proceed where a shoot can be carried out responsibly.
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Security Considerations
Crime risks, including armed robbery, are more prevalent in rural areas and on the outskirts of Ouagadougou.
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Recommended Security Measures
For higher-risk locations, armed security personnel, such as soldiers, are recommended to ensure crew and equipment safety. Taking necessary precautions will help mitigate risks and ensure a smooth filming experience.
Rebates & Incentives
Burkina Faso does not operate a film cash rebate or incentive scheme for international productions.
The central considerations are feasibility and safety rather than incentives. African Fixer will provide an honest assessment before any commitment, and manage permits and logistics only where responsible.
Hotel Options
Where a project is feasible, Burkina Faso’s city hotels serve as bases. Access for filming is subject to approval, availability and a careful safety assessment.
- Azalaï Hotel Ouagadougou — Central city hotel
- Laico Ouaga 2000 — Landmark conference hotel
- Sopatel Silmandé — Established Ouagadougou hotel
- Hotels in Bobo-Dioulasso — Regional bases where feasible
- Banfora-area hotels — Bases for the rock formations
- Guesthouses & auberges — Local accommodation
Crew & Cast Accommodation
Where a shoot is feasible, cast and crew accommodation is available in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso. All arrangements are subject to the safety assessment.
Luxury — Talent, Directors & Key Clients
Azalaï or Laico Ouaga 2000 — City bases for talent and clients where feasible.
Mid-Range — Main Crew & Production Team
Ouagadougou: Sopatel and city hotels — Capital bases.
Bobo-Dioulasso: city hotels — Regional bases where feasible.
Budget — Extended Crew & Longer Shoots
City guesthouses and auberges — Value options where available.
Regional guesthouses — Practical bases where shooting proceeds.
Did You Know?
Ouagadougou hosts FESPACO, the largest African film festival, and Burkina Faso has long been a heartland of African cinema — a proud film culture that endures despite the country’s current security challenges.
PRO TIP:
Lead with feasibility: before any scouting or scheduling, obtain an honest, current safety assessment — much of Burkina Faso is under severe advisories, and any shoot requires specialist security planning.
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.
For feature films and television productions, the cities of Ouagadougou, Bobo-Dioulasso, and Ouahigouya offer intriguing locations.
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.
