The Panfrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou, best known by its abbreviation FESPACO, takes place in the capital of Burkina Faso during odd-numbered years and highlights the continent's art scene. FESPACO was first launched in 1969, making it the third oldest festival in Africa after the Carthage Film Festival and Cairo International Film Festival Days and the first African film festival with a pan-African theme. By only accepting nominations from African works, FESPACO provides an opportunity for African film professionals to broadcast and promote their work. This African festival also serves as a forum for creative people, helping them brainstorm and build professional relationships. The most prestigious award of the festival is the "Étalon d'or de Yennenga" (Golden Stallion of Yennenga or short Golden Stallion), named after the legendary founder of the Mossi empire. The "Étalon d'or de Yennenga" is awarded to the African film that best shows "Africa's realities".
Other special awards include the Oumarou Ganda Prize, given for the best first film, and the Paul Robeson Prize for the best film by a director of the African diaspora. In addition to organizing the festival, the FESPACO Foundation of the Burkinabe Ministry of Culture aims to establish an African film library, a film market to exchange African content, and publish written materials.