Chijindu Kelechi Eke

Last updated
Chijindu Kelechi Eke
Kelechi Eke.jpg
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

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]

Contents

Early life

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

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

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

TitleGenreRoleYearReference
Lost In AbroadDramaWriter, Director2012 [19]
False EngagementDramaWriter, Actor, Director2013 [16]
African TimeComedyActor, Director2014 [20] [21]
Weeping AshesDramaDirector2014 [22]
The Other TribesDramaDirector2015 [23]
The Black PotTV SeriesDirector2015 [24]
AkwunaShort filmActor2022 [25]
IhembaDocumentaryProducer2024 [26] [6]

Awards

Film Awards

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

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]

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References

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  25. "Veteran Nollywood actress, Stella Damasus, others stars in Akwụna". Boomplay.
  26. "IHEMBA - Ichie Royalty Documentary". IMDb . 2024.
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