Thousands turned out for the festival's opening ceremony

Sissako received the Stallion of Yennenga award and prizes valued at about �7,000.

"I am so proud as an African film-maker to win this great distinction," said Sissako, who trained in Moscow and whose previous films have been widely acclaimed.

Sissako's film tells the story of a young Malian adrift in neighbouring Mauritania, hoping to leave for Europe.

Dubbed "Africa's Cannes", the 18th pan-African Film and Television Festival - better known as Fespaco - concluded this weekend.

The festival had featured screenings of more than 100 films over a period of eight days.

For African filmmakers, the festival offers the hope that their movies might attract enough attention to earn screen-time in cinemas outside Africa.