Chad has confirmed its participation as guest of honour at FESPACO 2025, themed “African Cinema and Cultural Identities,” to the Burkinabe Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo received a Chadian delegation led by Abdoulaye Souleymane Babale, Secretary General of the Ministry of Culture, on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, in Ouagadougou.
The delegation confirmed Chad’s participation in the festival.
The delegation was introduced to the head of government by the Minister of Culture, Pingdwendé Gilbert Ouédraogo, according to a statement received Wednesday by APA.
This meeting provided an opportunity to review the preparations for the 29th edition of the Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO), which will be held from February 22 to March 1, 2025.
FESPACO 2025, for which Chad is the guest of honor, will feature 235 films selected from 1351 works from 48 countries.
The Chadian delegation is in Ouagadougou to prepare for Chad’s participation in the film festival.
They have held working sessions with Minister Pingdwendé Gilbert Ouédraogo and members of the National Organising Committee of the African cinema and diaspora biennial.
The delegation reports a satisfactory assessment from these consultations, paving the way for a smooth participation of Chadian festival-goers.
The Prime Minister expressed to the Chadian delegation the determination of the Burkinabe authorities to ensure the success of this event.
He thanked the Chadian President, Marshal Mahamat Deby Itno, for responding favourably to the fraternal invitation of his Burkinabe counterpart to take part in FESPACO 2025.
The Secretary General of the Ministry of Culture of Chad, Abdoulaye Souleymane Babale, praised the efforts of Burkina Faso to provide an excellent welcome to festival-goers and highlighted Chad’s mobilisation for this event.
“We are experiencing a pre-FESPACO effervescence in N’Djamena. The population is very enthusiastic about this film festival in Ouagadougou,” he said.
He also announced the participation of a large official delegation.
Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo stressed the importance of details in the organization of the event. With this instruction, the National Organising Committee is taking action.
A few days before the opening of the prestigious biennial, Minister Pingdwendé Gilbert Ouédraogo affirmed that preparations are progressing well.
“Logistics, accommodation, and workshop and masterclass programs are in place. A press conference will soon be organised by the president of the National Organising Committee to share the latest information. FESPACO will be judged on the quality of the smallest aspects. The main lines are under control, but we must redouble our efforts to refine each element,” he explained.
Burkina Faso’s tradition of hospitality will not be betrayed at this edition of FESPACO.
“We intend to reserve a warm welcome for the large Chadian delegation and guarantee optimal conditions for filmmakers and participants. Burkina Faso is mobilised at the highest level to make this FESPACO a resounding success,” he stressed.
Among other activities that the Chadian delegation will carry out during FESPACO, Abdoulaye Souleymane Babale announced the installation of a cultural village, called “Chad Village at FESPACO,” intended to highlight the cultural diversity and tourist heritage of his country.
“This village will be a showcase of Chad in miniature, allowing festival-goers to discover our cultural and tourist riches,” he said.
FESPACO 2025 is placed under the theme: “Cinema of Africa and cultural identities” and is distinguished by a record participation with 48 countries announced against 35 in the previous edition.
The festival provides space for exchange and training for professionals and a fine example of the resilience and cultural richness of Burkina Faso.
TE/sf/lb/as/APA