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AFP
Fespaco was founded in 1969
Some 100,000 people are expected to attend 450 screenings next week at the Fespaco Film Festival in Burkina Faso.
Security is enhanced following a wave of attacks by Islamist militants in the country.
Since the beginning of Fespaco, 50 years ago, no woman has ever won first prize, Yennenga's golden stallion.
One of this year's favorites is Rafiki from Kenyan Wanuri Kahiu, about a bad affair.
He was temporarily banned in his country but presented at the Cannes Film Festival in France.
Desrances, a film by Burkina Faso director Apolline Traoré on post-election violence in Côte d'Ivoire in 2010-2011.
No woman has ever won the golden stallion of Yennenga (center)
Victoria Uwonkunda, of the BBC, in Ouagadougou, the capital, said the challenge might be to be able to attend all sessions, as at least 60 films are screened from 8:00 am until late at night.
Some rooms broadcast more than one festival film at the same time.
Screenings were organized in nine locations in the city of Ouagadougou, as well as in other major cities of the country, Bobo Dioulbado and Ouahigouya.
"Filmmakers of Africa, we love you," said Saturday evening Yacouba Traore, the festival's chief organizer, at the opening ceremony in the capital's municipal stadium.
Fespaco, the French acronym for the Panafrican Festival of Film and Television of Ouagadougou, is held every two years.
More than 2,000 security agents have been deployed to ensure the safety of guests and moviegoers, the AFP news agency reported.
About 80 people have been killed in the last three months during attacks by Islamist militants, who have also forced schools to close their doors in several areas.
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