Africa in general and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in particular, has just lost one of its greatest filmmakers. Idrissa Ouedraogo, a filmmaker of Burkinabe nationality, passed away on Sunday, 18 February 2018 in Ouagadougou at the age of 64 years.

A Graduate of the African Film Institute of Ouagadougou, from where he graduated major, Idrissa Ouedraogo attained professionalism and built a sustained career by completing his studies at the Film School in University of Sorbonne (Paris 1) Paris, France, and the State Film Institute in Moscow.

He was an emblematic figure of the 7th African art, a prestigious director and producer who left his mark on major festivals in the world. He left behind about forty works including a dozen feature films. During his lifetime, the baobab of Burkinabe cinema who was affectionately called the “Maestro”, won thirty prizes around the world, including the Grand Prix at the Cannes Festival in 1990 and Etalon de Yennega in 1991 Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO), which are the most prestigious prizes he won with his film “Tilaï”.

The ECOWAS Commission President hereby pays a well-deserved tribute to Idrissa Ouedraogo, whose younger generation still needed his rich experience.

ECOWAS, through the President of the Commission, extends the condolences of the Community to the Burkinabe people, the family and relatives of the famous deceased filmmaker, actors of the film industry, and the Pan-African Federation of Filmmakers (FEPACI).

May the soul of the famous filmmaker rest in peace!