• Faso Films Fund aims to finance local and diaspora cinema projects
• Initiative managed by the Burkinabè Film and Audiovisual Agency (ABCA)
• Program targets production, promotion, and training across the value chain

The Burkina Faso government has launched the Faso Films Fund, a national mechanism to finance film and audiovisual projects by local professionals and the diaspora. Presented on October 8, the initiative is backed by an initial envelope of CFA1 billion (about $1.75 million).

The fund is managed by the Burkinabè Film and Audiovisual Agency (ABCA), established in December 2024 following the merger of several institutions, including Fespaco and the Higher Institute of Image and Sound (ISIS). According to Communication Minister Gilbert Ouédraogo, the program will support project development, production, postproduction, and promotion of audiovisual works. Eligible categories include short and feature films, TV and web series, animation, continuous training, film events, labs, creative residencies, and technical infrastructure projects. Proposals will be reviewed by an independent jury tasked with selecting relevant and viable projects.

The fund seeks to strengthen Burkina Faso’s film and audiovisual value chain through four components: Faso Films Development, Faso Films Production, Faso Films Postproduction, and Faso Films Promotion. These areas cover the full creative process from writing to distribution.

It targets legally established Burkinabè companies and associations, as well as national and diaspora filmmakers. Applications can be submitted via a digital platform managed by the ABCA.

According to Alex Moussa Sawadogo, ABCA’s director general and former Fespaco delegate, the main challenge is to attract original projects that tell Burkinabè and African stories rooted in local realities. The initiative aligns with broader government efforts to professionalize the cultural sector and create jobs. Once a major film hub in West Africa, the country aims to revive national production and boost the visibility of local films in African and international markets.

Despite a dynamic ecosystem, Burkina Faso’s film industry still faces persistent challenges such as limited funding, weak distribution, inadequate infrastructure, and poor enforcement of intellectual property laws. Many players operate informally, limiting their access to institutional financing and legal protection.

Authorities hope the Faso Films Fund will help fill this gap by supporting viable projects that attract investors and strengthen professional capacity. In the long run, the program could become a sustainable financing tool to make cinema a structured and productive economic sector in Burkina Faso.