Chijindu Kelechi Eke

Last updated
Chijindu Kelechi Eke
Nationality Nigeria
Other namesKelechi Eke
Citizenship American
Alma mater University of Texas at Dallas
Occupation Film Director
Years active2009-Present
Known for Film and Software Engineering
Notable work Rootflix
TitleIchie Ihemba 1 of Imerienwe
Awards United States President's Lifetime Achievement Award

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]

Contents

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. [7]

Early life

Kelechi was born in Amafor, Imerienwe in Imo State, located in the southeastern region of Nigeria. [1] He moved to the United States to further his education [8] where he obtained a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Science in Information Technology from the University of Texas at Dallas. [9]

Career

Kelechi began his film career in 2009 featuring as a producer and actor in Okra Principle. [10] He started biGObi Productions in 2011 [8] and directed the 2012 film Lost In Abroad which has been featured in libraries at Harvard University, [11] Yale University, [12] Stanford University, [13] University of Iowa Libraries, [14] Northwestern University [15] and the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and Madison General Library System. [16] He also directed the 2013 film False Engagement [17] and the 2014 film The Stepchild. [18]

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. [19]

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. [6]

Filmography

TitleGenreRoleYearReference
Lost In AbroadDramaWriter, Director2012 [20]
False EngagementDramaWriter, Actor, Director2013 [17]
African TimeComedyActor, Director2014 [21] [22]
Weeping AshesDramaDirector2014 [23]
The Other TribesDramaDirector2015 [24]
The Black PotTV SeriesDirector2015 [25]
AkwunaShort filmActor2022 [26]
IhembaDocumentaryProducer2024 [27] [6]

Awards

Film Awards

2012 - Best African Filmmaker Living Abroad, African Movies Academy Awards. [28]

2015 - People’s Choice Best Director, Nollywood and African Film Critics Award. [29]

2015 - Movie Achievement Award, Los Angeles Nollywood Film Awards. [30]

2015 - Merit Award of Awareness at the Awareness Film Festival, California. [31]

2015 - Best Screenwriter, International Movie Awards, Indonesia. [32]

Humanitarian Awards

On May 3, 2014, Kelechi received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Nigerian-American Multicultural Council (NAMC). [8] [33]

On August 19, 2023, he received the United States President Lifetime Achievement Award for his social contributions and humanitarian services. [34]

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. [7]

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References

  1. 1 2 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. 1 2 "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. 1 2 3 Imo Community reverberates as film maker, Kelechi Eke takes highest chieftaincy role .Vanguardng (Accessed: 22 January 2024).
  7. 1 2 Anokam, Sam (April 7, 2024). "More honours for Kelechi Eke". The Nation (Nigeria) .
  8. 1 2 3 Ltd, Fresco Software Solution Pvt. "Kelechi Eke | AFRIFAMU". DAORA BEADS. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  9. ↑ "Alumni Notes - The University of Texas at Dallas". alumni.utdallas.edu. Retrieved 2024-02-08.
  10. ↑ "The okra principle | WorldCat.org". search.worldcat.org. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  11. ↑ Eke, Chijindu (2012). "Lost in Abroad: Have we forgotten our Roots?". Harvard University Library– via Bigobi Productions.
  12. ↑ Eke, Chijindu Kelechi (2012). "Lost in Abroad: Have We Forgotten Our Roots?". Yale University – via [Dallas, Texas]: Bigobi Productions.
  13. ↑ Eke, Chijindu Kelechi (2012). "Lost in abroad: have we forgotten our roots?" (Video Recording). Stanford University – via [Dallas, Tex.?], Bigobi Productions.
  14. ↑ Eke, Chijindu Kelechi (2012). "Lost in Abroad : Have We Forgotten Our Roots? / a Kelechi Eke Film" (DVD). University of Iowa – via Bigobi Productions.
  15. ↑ Eke, Chijindu Kelechi (2012). "Lost in Abroad : Have We Forgotten Our Roots?" (Video). Northwestern University – via Bigobi Productions.
  16. ↑ "Lost in abroad : have we forgotten our roots? | WorldCat.org". search.worldcat.org. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  17. 1 2 "False engagement | WorldCat.org". search.worldcat.org. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  18. ↑ "The Stepchild". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  19. ↑ "Kelechi Eke launches new film streaming platform". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2019-03-16. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  20. ↑ tosan (2012-02-26). ""Lost in Abroad" premiere's at the Majestic Theater". Trendy Africa. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  21. ↑ "African Time - A Kelechi Eke Film". World Catalog .
  22. ↑ "Texas-Based Nigerian Filmmaker Explores Tardiness as Cultural Rift". Voice of America . August 26, 2014.
  23. ↑ "Weeping Ashes - A Kelechi Eke Film". Harvard University Library.
  24. ↑ "The Other Tribes by Chijindu Kelechi Eke". World Catalog .
  25. ↑ "The Black Pot". IMDb . 2015.
  26. ↑ "Veteran Nollywood actress, Stella Damasus, others stars in Akwụna". Boomplay.
  27. ↑ "IHEMBA - Ichie Royalty Documentary". IMDb . 2024.
  28. ↑ "Best Filmmaker Living Abroad". Africa Movie Academy Awards IMDb . 2012.
  29. ↑ "NAFCA Awards". IMDb . 2015.
  30. ↑ G, Vida (2015-09-07). "LANFA Award-Winning Filmmaker to Screen His Films". Hollywood Press Corps. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  31. ↑ "Awareness Film Festival, CA". IMDb . 2015.
  32. ↑ "A festival of Awards for Kelechi Eke". Trendy Africa. September 13, 2015.
  33. ↑ "Kelechi Eke: Bridging the gap". galaTAG Magazine. August 23, 2017.
  34. ↑ Njoku, Benjamin (2023-12-18). "I'm humbled being honured with US President Lifetime Achievement award – Kelechi Eke". Vanguard NG. Retrieved 2023-12-18.


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