Kelechi Eke is a Nigerian
film director
A film director controls a film's artistic and dramatic aspects and visualizes the screenplay (or script) while guiding the film crew and actors in the fulfilment of that vision. The director has a key role in choosing the cast members, p ...
.
He is the founder of The African Film Festival (TAFF),
founder of Village Arts & Film Festival (VILLAFFEST), and the creator of African streaming service, Rootflix. During the coronation in December 2023, he was installed into a chieftaincy role as the "Ichie Ihemba" of Imerienwe in the
Imo State
Imo State ( ig, Ȯra Imo) is a States of Nigeria, state in the South East (Nigeria), South-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria, bordered to the north by Anambra State, Rivers State to the west and south, and Abia State to the east. It takes its n ...
of Nigeria.
Imo Community reverberates as film maker, Kelechi Eke takes highest chieftaincy role
'.Vanguardng (Accessed: 22 January 2024).
Despite primarily living in the United States, Kelechi was appointed as the board chairman of
Para-Soccer Association of Imo State because of the passion he has for the development of sports and care for
people with disabilities.
Early life
Kelechi was born in
Amafor, Imerienwe in
Imo State
Imo State ( ig, Ȯra Imo) is a States of Nigeria, state in the South East (Nigeria), South-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria, bordered to the north by Anambra State, Rivers State to the west and south, and Abia State to the east. It takes its n ...
, located in the southeastern region of Nigeria.
He moved to the United States to further his education
where he obtained a
Master of Business Administration and a
Master of Science in Information Technology
A Master of Science in Information Technology (abbreviated M.Sc.IT, MScIT or MSIT) is a master's degree in the field of information technology awarded by universities in many countries or a person holding such a degree. The MSIT degree is de ...
from the
University of Texas at Dallas.
Career
Kelechi began his film career in 2009 featuring as a producer and actor in ''Okra Principle''.
He started biGObi Productions in 2011
and directed the 2012 film ''Lost In Abroad'' which has been featured in libraries at
Harvard University,
Yale University,
Stanford University
Stanford University, officially Leland Stanford Junior University, is a private research university in Stanford, California. The campus occupies , among the largest in the United States, and enrolls over 17,000 students. Stanford is consider ...
,
University of Iowa Libraries
The University of Iowa (UI, U of I, UIowa, or simply Iowa) is a public research university in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. Founded in 1847, it is the oldest and largest university in the state. The University of Iowa is organized into 12 coll ...
,
Northwestern University and the
University of Wisconsin–Madison, and Madison General Library System. He also directed the 2013 film ''False Engagement''
and the 2014 film ''The Stepchild''.
He is also the founder of The
African Film
Festival (TAFF), and held the first edition in Dallas, Texas.
In 2017, he began the development of
Rootflix, a streaming and distribution platform for festival-qualified films and launched it in 2019.
Royalty
Kelechi Eke was crowned Ichie Ihemba 1 of Imerienwe because of his love for his people, commitment to the development of his community, and passion for the preservation and celebration of their culture. “Ihe” means light and “mba” means community.
Filmography
Awards
Film Awards
2012 - Best African Filmmaker Living Abroad,
African Movies Academy Awards.
2015 - People’s Choice Best Director,
Nollywood and African Film Critics Award.
2015 - Movie Achievement Award, Los Angeles Nollywood Film Awards.
2015 - Merit Award of Awareness at th
Awareness Film Festival California.
2015 - Best Screenwriter, International Movie Awards, Indonesia.
Humanitarian Awards
On May 3, 2014, Kelechi received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Nigerian-American Multicultural Council (NAMC).
On August 19, 2023, he received the United States President Lifetime Achievement Award for his social contributions and humanitarian services.
On March 30, 2024, he received Award of Honor by Imo State Women Ambassadors International for supporting women and girl-child growth, as well as empowerment of the youths in the State.
References
External links
Chijindu Kelechi Ekeon
IMDb
Igbo-language writers
Igbo diaspora
Igbo fiction writers
Igbo people
Nigerian film directors
Year of birth missing (living people)
Living people
{{Nigeria-bio-stub
Nigerian traditional rulers