The University of Joseph Ki-Zerbo (UJKZ) in Burkina Faso has resumed its film and audiovisual studies program, marking a significant milestone in the country's cinematic education. On November 2, 2026, the first batch of students enrolled in the program, comprising 34 students, including 16 undergraduates and 18 master's students. The program is being offered at the University's Unit of Training and Research in Letters, Arts, and Communication (UFR/LAC). This development is a major boost to the country's film industry, which has long been in need of trained professionals.
The program's launch is the culmination of a process initiated as part of the university's policy of professionalizing its academic programs. According to Dr. Valentine Palm Sanou, the program's coordinator and a lecturer-researcher in the Department of Modern Letters, the program aims to equip students with skills that are directly applicable in the professional world. The program's curriculum has been designed to produce not only practitioners but also thinkers in the field of cinema. The program's focus on both theoretical and practical aspects of filmmaking is expected to produce well-rounded professionals.
The program's first lecture was delivered by Professor Jean-Baptiste Coulibaly, an archaeologist, who introduced the students to the history of art. The course is designed to provide a foundation for understanding art and its evolution, which will serve as a basis for studying cinema as an art form and means of expression. The program's focus on the history of art and cinema will enable students to appreciate the development of film as an art form and its role in society.
The program has been designed to produce professionals in various areas of film production, including directing, production, cinematography, editing, and sound. The program's curriculum has been structured to accommodate nine professional profiles, although only five areas will be offered in the first year due to logistical constraints. The program's coordinators are optimistic that the program will help to address the shortage of skilled professionals in the country's film industry.
The University of Joseph Ki-Zerbo's decision to reinstate its film program is also seen as a way of reviving a legacy. The Institute for African Cinema Education in Ouagadougou (INAFEC), which was attached to the university, operated from 1976 to 1987 before it was closed. The new program is an attempt to revive this legacy and adapt it to the current realities of the film industry.
The program's launch has been welcomed by students, who see it as an opportunity to acquire skills that will enable them to succeed in the film industry. Gaël Hema, a student in the program, said that the program is an essential step for anyone who wants to pursue a career in film. The program's coordinators are confident that it will produce skilled professionals who will contribute to the growth of the country's film industry.
The university's administration has expressed its commitment to supporting the program. Dr. Virginie Kaboré, the Director of UFR/LAC, said that the program is an opportunity for students to acquire professional skills in film and audiovisual production. She noted that the program will help to structure the competencies in the film industry and provide a scientific approach to film production.
Key points
- The University of Joseph Ki-Zerbo has launched a film and audiovisual studies program, 40 years after it was discontinued.
- The program aims to produce professionals in various areas of film production, including directing, production, cinematography, editing, and sound.
- The program's focus on both theoretical and practical aspects of filmmaking is expected to produce well-rounded professionals.
