Festivals

FESPACO the Pan-African Film Festival held in late February of odd-numbered years, is the most well known event. African film buffs shouldn't miss this mega fest.. Luring celebrities and fans from around the globe this festival—the world's largest African film festival—electrifies Ouagadougou with a carnival-like energy. The party spills out of the crowded cinemas into the streets in the form of dances food festivals and general hilarity. The streets become pedestrian malls where the shopping is fantastic—everything from Nigerian leather bags and Tuareg silver to handmade cloth dolls from Benin and traditional clothing from Ghana. It is the one time when Ouagadougou becomes a hot international destination, at least for the film buffs.