Passion or Profession: Filmmaker

Period: 1954–

Ouedraogo was born near Ouagadougou and studied at the city's African Institute for Film Education and at the Institute for Higher Film Studies in Paris. His first feature, Yam Daabo (The Choice) was released in 1986. Three years later, he made Yaaba (Grandmother), which received the International Critics Award at the Cannes Film Festival. His 1990 film, Tilai (The Law), received the Special Jury Prize at Cannes. His more recent films have received similar acclaim, reinforcing his reputation as one of the greats of African cinema.