Born the daughter of an imam, Naky Sy Savané has, through sheer dedication, made a name for herself in Ivorian and African cinema, of which she is now a prideful figure. When asked about the secret to the longevity of her career, adorned with accolades from around the world, Naky Sy Savané simply smiles and nods. "It wasn't easy," she assures. Yet, her story and experience could serve as a beacon of inspiration for others, as in reality, nothing was handed to her.

Naky's story begins in her village in Odienné, where, after agricultural work, her elders' theater troupe animated the evenings. "I would attend their rehearsals, but I wasn't allowed on stage. On the day of the performance, the lead actress fell ill with malaria. I offered to replace her on the spot, but my offer was rejected. However, faced with demands from the audience to see a female character on stage rather than men disguised as women, they eventually called on me," recalls the artist. The spark is instantaneous. At the age of eleven, she already feels that her place is on stage. And she never leaves it. Back in Abidjan, she yearns to recapture that newfound sensation. Soon, while attending school, she delves into comedy. "I had a double life," she confesses. She quickly makes a name for herself in the industry and is noticed by director Saïdou Bokoum, who writes tailor-made roles for her. Known to the public, it becomes impossible for her to hide from her parents. When they remark that a young girl on television resembles her, she quickly responds: "Everyone says she looks like me." "When they found out the truth, it was tough," recalls the actress, whose mother endured many taunts for her choice.

It's her encounter with Henri Duparc that truly propels her into the limelight. He entrusts her with a significant role in the film "Bal Poussière," which has become a classic of Ivorian cinema. After Henri Duparc, with whom she collaborated twice, she works with renowned figures of Ivorian cinema such as Roger Gnoan M'Bala in "In the Name of Christ" (Grand Prize at FESPACO in 1992) and those from the sub-region, such as Burkinabé Idrissa Ouédraogo and Senegalese Sembène Ousmane ("Mooladé," Un Certain Regard Prize in 2004). Since then, Naky Sy Savané has been a star in the African cinema sky.

In Marseille, where she has been residing for several years, she continues to advocate for the arts. She has established a structure called "Afriki Djigui Theatri," which she defines as "a refuge for all minorities to create and showcase their works." However, Naky has not severed ties with her country, where she has been running the International Lakes and Lagoons Film Festival of Abidjan (Festilag) for a few years now, with its 10th edition held in December 2022.