He studied at the Institut National des Arts in Abidjan, Ivory Coast for his undergraduate degree and then earned his master's degree at the Conservatoire libre du cinéma français in Paris, France.

[1] Since 1977 Sanou has directed or been the screenwriter of over 25 documentary, fiction, and animated films.

[1] His first film of note was Paweogo (The Immigrant), released in 1982 with production by CINAFRIC, a company set up by local businessman Martial Ouédraogo to produce and distribute local Burkinabé films.

However, shortly after the completion of the film, CINAFRIC went bankrupt and had to close due to lack of investment.

[3] Sanou served as director and screenwriter for the 2004 film Tasuma, a comedy-drama of a Burkinabé war veteran who had fought for France abroad returning to his home village.