In pictures: Fespaco film festival

The red carpets have been rolled out. Not in Los Angeles, but in Ouagadougou - capital of Burkino Faso - where the 21st Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (Fespaco), is underway.

Fespaco has been dubbed "Africa's Oscars". At the opening ceremony in Stad du 4 Aout, a giant puppet plays with BBC journalist Audrey Brown.

This year, 19 films from 13 countries are competing. "If you want to watch an Egyptian horror flick, or a Cameroonian love story, Fespaco is the place to be," says the BBC's James Copnall.

African film directors and cinema business representatives hold hands and circle a monument dedicated to cinema. "Anyone who's anyone" in African cinema comes to Fespaco, says our correspondent.

Adamo Dramo (L) and Ladji Diakite, Malian film directors of Fantan Fanga, are among those hoping to win the grand prize, the "Etalon de Yennenga" (Yennenga Stallion).

Moroccan director Mohamed Ismail (R) attends the projection of his film "Adieu Meres", (Goodbye Mothers), which chronicles the Jewish families who departed Morocco for Israel after World War II .

Fespaco has changed a lot since it began in 1969, says Ivorian director Sidiki Bakaba. "When we started, there were maybe five or six filmmakers. People said it was utopist. Crazy."

The opening ceremony drew huge crowds. But Fespaco aims at "the arty end of the market", our correspondent says. They cannot compete with the popularity of Nigeria's low-budget "Nollywood" films.

Nevertheless, most films are still shot on a shoestring, as Hyppolyte Delavolta's painting celebrates. Note the assistant holding down the broken leg of the tripod.

BBC World Service radio is broadcasting daily updates throughout Fespaco. Audrey Brown (centre) gives a live broadcast for Focus on Africa.

Back

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Next