Creative Development with IFC

Acclaimed jazz artist Dee Dee Bridgewater joins IFC Managing Director Makhtar Diop to reflect on a remarkable five-decade career. She discusses the experiences that have influenced her work, from Memphis to New York and Paris, as well as her acclaimed Red Earth project, which deepened her connection to her African heritage. The conversation explores mentorship, women's empowerment, artistic ownership, and her advocacy as a UN FAO Goodwill Ambassador, offering insights on leadership, legacy, and the power of culture to drive impact.

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. 

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.  

In conversation with IFC Managing Director Makhtar Diop, Wynton Marsalis – award winning trumpeter and the Managing and Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center – 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. 

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. 

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.

Dans cet épisode de Creative Development avec IFC, Makhtar Diop, directeur général d'IFC, invite le producteur de musique Djo da Silva — l'homme qui a révélé la légende cap-verdienne Cesária Évora —  à explorer la musique, l'émotion, l'identité, et le rôle unique du tourisme culturel à Cabo Verde.   Un moment de nostalgie partagée entre deux « Boy Dakar », qui retracent ensemble leurs chemins musicaux. C'est l'histoire de rythmes venus d'Afrique, d'une fierté culturelle et d'une conviction : celle que la musique peut toucher les cœurs et changer le monde.  Djo Da Silva: Giving a Voice to Cape Verde  In this episode of Creative Development with IFC, IFC Managing Director Makhtar Diop sits down with music producer Djo da Silva—the man who discovered Cape Verdean legend Cesária Évora—for a powerful conversation about music, emotion, identity, and the unique role of cultural tourism in Cape Verde.   It's a moment of shared nostalgia between two "Boy Dakar," reflecting on their musical journeys. A story of African rhythm, cultural pride, and a deep belief in the power of music to move the world.  

In the latest episode of Creative Development with IFC, professional footballer Antonio Rüdiger shares how his upbringing, values, and career shaped a deep commitment to leadership and social change. From combating racism to winning major championships and starting his own foundation in Sierra Leone, Rüdiger reflects on the transformative power of sports and his vision for a more equitable future.

In this episode of Creative Development with IFC, Mithali Raj, one of the most celebrated cricketers in the world, and a trailblazer in women's sports shares her remarkable journey as a   young classical dancer to becoming the highest run-scorer in women's cricket history. Join us as Mithali reflects on the lessons and challenges that shaped her life, and her vision for the future of women's cricket. This is an inspiring conversation you won't want to miss!

In this episode of Creative Development with IFC, Makhtar Diop speaks with Jason Wright, a trailblazer in the sports industry. A former running back in the U.S. National Football League (NFL), Jason made history as the first Black president of an NFL team in the league's 105-year history. Now, as Managing Partner of Project Lead at Ariel Investments, he leads a private equity fund focused on investing in women's sports. He shares his insights on how sports can drive economic growth, promote equity, and create opportunities for social inclusion. Tune in for a compelling conversation on the impact of sports in shaping a more sustainable and inclusive future.