Chijindu Kelechi Eke

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chijindu Kelechi Eke
NationalityNigeria
Other namesKelechi Eke
CitizenshipAmerican
Alma materUniversity of Texas at Dallas
OccupationFilm Director
Years active2009-Present
Known forFilm and Software Engineering
Notable workRootflix
TitleIchie Ihemba 1 of Imerienwe
AwardsUnited States President's Lifetime Achievement Award

Chijindu Kelechi Eke is a Nigerian film director.[1] He is the founder of The African Film Festival (TAFF),[2] founder of Village Arts & Film Festival (VILLAFFEST),[3] and the creator of African streaming service, Rootflix.[4] During the coronation in December 2023,[5] he was installed into a chieftaincy role as the "Ichie Ihemba" of Imerienwe in the Imo State of Nigeria.[6]

Early life[edit]

Kelechi was born in Amafor, Imerienwe in Imo State Nigeria.[1] He moved to the United States to further his education[7] where he obtained a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Science in Information Technology from the University of Texas at Dallas.[8]

Career[edit]

Kelechi began his film career in 2009 featuring as a producer and actor in Okra Principle.[9] He started BigObi Productions in 2011[7] and directed the 2012 film Lost In Abroad which has been featured in libraries at Harvard University,[10] Yale University,[11] Stanford University,[12] University of Iowa Libraries,[13] Northwestern University[14] and the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and Madison General Library System.[15] He also directed the 2013 film False Engagement[16] and the 2014 film The Stepchild.[17]

He is also the founder of The African Film Festival (TAFF), and held the first edition in Dallas, Texas.[2]

In 2017, he began the development of Rootflix, a streaming and distribution platform for festival-qualified films and launched it in 2019.[18]

Royalty[edit]

Chijindu 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.[6]

Filmography[edit]

Title Genre Role Year Reference
Lost In Abroad Drama Writer, Director 2012 [19]
False Engagement Drama Writer, Actor, Director 2013 [16]
African Time Comedy Actor, Director 2014 [20][21]
Weeping Ashes Drama Director 2014 [22]
The Other Tribes Drama Director 2015 [23]
The Black Pot TV Series Director 2015 [24]
Akwuna Short film Actor 2022 [25]
Ihemba Documentary Producer 2024 [26][6]

Awards[edit]

Film Awards[edit]

In 2015, Kelechi won the People’s Choice Best Director award at Nollywood and African Film Critics Award and won the Movie Achievement Award at Los Angeles Nollywood Film Awards.[27]

Humanitarian Awards[edit]

In 2014, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Nigerian-American Multicultural Council (NAMC).[7][28]

On August 19, 2023, Kelechi received the United States President Lifetime Achievement Award for his social contributions and humanitarian services.[29]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b fatshimetrie (2023-12-16). "Kelechi Eke, founder of the TAFF festival, inducted leader of his community for his exceptional contribution to cultural development". Fatshimetrie. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  2. ^ a b "African Film Festival in Texas Bridges Cultures". Voice of America. 2016-07-07. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  3. ^ "VILLAFFEST set to light up Owerri". Guardian Nigeria. November 7, 2020.
  4. ^ Batty, Cormeshia Carson (April 24, 2019). "Nollywood Screening Gets a Facelift with Rootflix". African American newspapers.
  5. ^ Njoku, Benjamin (2023-12-16). "Kelechi Eke bags chieftaincy title, hosts VILLAFFEST in Owerri". Vanguard NG. Retrieved 2024-01-25.
  6. ^ a b c Imo Community reverberates as film maker, Kelechi Eke takes highest chieftaincy role.Vanguardng (Accessed: 22 January 2024).
  7. ^ a b c Ltd, Fresco Software Solution Pvt. "Kelechi Eke | AFRIFAMU". DAORA BEADS. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  8. ^ "Alumni Notes - The University of Texas at Dallas". alumni.utdallas.edu. Retrieved 2024-02-08.
  9. ^ "The okra principle | WorldCat.org". search.worldcat.org. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  10. ^ Eke, Chijindu (2012). "Lost in Abroad: Have we forgotten our Roots?". Harvard University Library – via Bigobi Productions.
  11. ^ Eke, Chijindu Kelechi (2012). "Lost in Abroad: Have We Forgotten Our Roots?". Yale University – via [Dallas, Texas]: Bigobi Productions.
  12. ^ Eke, Chijindu Kelechi (2012). "Lost in abroad: have we forgotten our roots?" (Video Recording). Stanford University – via [Dallas, Tex.?], Bigobi Productions.
  13. ^ Eke, Chijindu Kelechi (2012). "Lost in Abroad : Have We Forgotten Our Roots? / a Kelechi Eke Film" (DVD). University of Iowa – via Bigobi Productions.
  14. ^ Eke, Chijindu Kelechi (2012). "Lost in Abroad : Have We Forgotten Our Roots?" (Video). Northwestern University – via Bigobi Productions.
  15. ^ "Lost in abroad : have we forgotten our roots? | WorldCat.org". search.worldcat.org. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  16. ^ a b "False engagement | WorldCat.org". search.worldcat.org. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  17. ^ "The Stepchild". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  18. ^ Nigeria, Guardian (2019-03-16). "Kelechi Eke launches new film streaming platform". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  19. ^ tosan (2012-02-26). ""Lost in Abroad" premiere's at the Majestic Theater". Trendy Africa. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  20. ^ "African Time - A Kelechi Eke Film". World Catalog.
  21. ^ "Texas-Based Nigerian Filmmaker Explores Tardiness as Cultural Rift". Voice of America. August 26, 2014.
  22. ^ "Weeping Ashes - A Kelechi Eke Film". Harvard University Library.
  23. ^ "The Other Tribes by Chijindu Kelechi Eke". World Catalog.
  24. ^ "The Black Pot". IMDb. 2015.
  25. ^ "Veteran Nollywood actress, Stella Damasus, others stars in Akwụna". Boomplay.
  26. ^ "IHEMBA - Ichie Royalty Documentary". IMDb. 2024.
  27. ^ G, Vida (2015-09-07). "LANFA Award-Winning Filmmaker to Screen His Films". Hollywood Press Corps. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  28. ^ "Kelechi Eke: Bridging the gap". galaTAG Magazine. August 23, 2017.
  29. ^ Njoku, Benjamin (2023-12-18). "I'm humbled being honured with US President Lifetime Achievement award – Kelechi Eke". Vanguard NG. Retrieved 2023-12-18.

External links[edit]


Flag of NigeriaBiography icon

This Nigerian biographical article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chijindu_Kelechi_Eke&oldid=1220873548"