1979–1980
A student in Ville d'Avray and an activist in the anti-apartheid movement. Met in Paris with Dulcie September (ANC) and Sam Nujoma, president of SWAPO. First steps in political activism for justice and freedom in Southern Africa.
1982
A budding journalist for Bwana Magazine, specializing in film. Actively involved in creating a space for reflection and expression for Africans in France, exploring issues of identity, representation, and social struggles.
1983
My first FESPACO, where I met all the filmmakers of the first generation, and also met Thomas Sankara—I wanted to become Burkinabé. This festival and these encounters marked a turning point: cinema became the primary vehicle for my commitment to Africa.
1987
Djeneba’s family doesn’t take my marriage proposal seriously; Sankara is assassinated in October, and I wake up from this nightmare. A year of personal and political disillusionment that nevertheless strengthens my determination to tell my story through film.
1999
Founding of the African Directors and Producers Guild, of which I am the first president. This is a major initiative aimed at organizing and advocating for the interests of African filmmakers, fostering collaboration, and strengthening the continent’s film industry.
2003–2007
Launch of the FESPACO Documentary Section in Ouagadougou, which will run during the 2005 edition and conclude in 2007. The idea is to raise the profile of African documentary film, which I consider to be at the forefront of cinema. Recognition of the documentary as an essential tool for preserving memory and fostering critical thinking.
2016–2023
Launch of the Patrimoines-Heritage Workshops, four editions: 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2023. A major initiative to pass on cinematic knowledge to new generations, offering training in documentary filmmaking and the preservation of African heritage. Bringing a vision to life: passing on knowledge so we do not forget, training the next generation to carry on.