The Power of Stories: Kiran Rao on Creativity, Cinema, and Opportunity

Faire bouger le continent : Germaine Acogny sur la danse, la culture et l'avenir créatif de l'Afrique

Dans cet épisode de Creative Development with IFC, Makhtar Diop s'entretient avec Germaine Acogny, danseuse, chorégraphe et pédagogue de renommée internationale, souvent considérée comme la mère de la danse africaine contemporaine. Pour elle, la danse est bien plus qu'un art : c'est un outil d'éducation, de communication et de transformation sociale. La conversation explore son travail pionnier à l'École des Sables, ainsi que le rôle des traditions chorégraphiques africaines dans la création d'opportunités pour les jeunes et le développement d'un tourisme culturel durable à l'échelle du continent. Moving the Continent: Germaine Acogny on Dance, Culture, and Africa's Creative Future In this episode of Creative Development with IFC, Managing Director Makhtar Diop sits down with Germaine Acogny, the internationally renowned dancer, choreographer, and educator often regarded as the mother of contemporary African dance. For Acogny, dance is far more than an art form, it is a tool for education, communication, and social transformation. The conversation explores her pioneering work at École des Sables, as well as the role of African choreographic traditions in creating opportunities for young people and fostering the development of sustainable cultural tourism across the continent.

Deep Discipline: Vitomir Maričić on Freediving and Ocean Advocacy

In this episode of Creative Development with IFC, Makhtar Diop sits down with world champion freediver Vitomir Maričić, a man who pushes the limits of human endurance - including setting the Guinness World Record for the longest breath-hold at an astonishing 29 minutes and 3 seconds. Freediving is one of the world's most extreme sports. With no oxygen tanks and no room for error, athletes descend hundreds of feet below the ocean's surface on a single breath. Vitomir shares what it takes, physically and mentally, to survive and excel in such a high-stakes environment, and how that discipline shapes his approach to life and business. The conversation also explores Vitomir's deep commitment to ocean conservation and the urgent need for responsible action to protect marine ecosystems.

Respecting the Art: Wynton Marsalis on Jazz and Cultural Legacy

In conversation with IFC Managing Director Makhtar Diop, Wynton Marsalis – award winning trumpeter and the Managing and Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln [https://jazz.org/]Center [https://jazz.org/] – reflects on how culture and education strengthen people and communities. Drawing on his journey from New Orleans to the world stage, he discusses legacy, mentorship, and global collaboration - highlighting how the arts contribute to social cohesion and economic opportunity.

Passing the Baton: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce on Inspiring the Next Generation

In this episode of Creative Development with IFC, the most decorated 100-meter sprinter of all time, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, joins Makhtar Diop for a powerful conversation on speed, purpose, and legacy. Reflecting on an extraordinary 18-year career- from her early days on the track in Jamaica to becoming one of the greatest athletes in history - Shelly-Ann shares how discipline, faith, and community shaped her path. Now stepping into her next chapter, she discusses life beyond the track, empowering future generations through the Pocket Rocket Foundation and embracing entrepreneurship with her new haircare brand, AFIMI.

The Power of Stories: Kiran Rao on Creativity, Cinema, and Opportunity

In this episode of Creative Development with IFC, Makhtar Diop speaks with visionary filmmaker Kiran Rao about the evolution of Indian cinema, the rise of independent voices, and why bold, local storytelling matters. They also discuss Rao's award-winning film Laapataa Ladies - a humorous yet incisive story that shines a light on the struggle against patriarchy, and her new project Humans in the Loop, a thought-provoking film on artificial intelligence and our shared future.