Chijindu Kelechi Eke

Chijindu Kelechi Eke
Born
Owerri, Imo State
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

Kelechi Eke is a Nigerian film director and software engineer.[1][2] He is the founder of The African Film Festival (TAFF),[3] founder of Village Arts & Film Festival (VILLAFFEST),[4][5] and the creator of African movies streaming service, Rootflix.[6][7]

Early life

He is also the founder of African Women Arts & Film Festival (AWAFFEST)[8][9] which celebrates the work of African women in film. During the coronation on December 26, 2023, Kelechi Eke was installed into royalty as the "Ichie Ihemba" of Imerienwe[10][11] in the Imo State of Nigeria.

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.[12]

On October 5, 2024; Ichie Kelechi Eke presided over the inauguration of Odenigbo Cultural Club, an organization that he founded to celebrate Igbo culture and to preserve Igbo language in the diaspora.[13]

Education

Kelechi was born in Amafor, Imerienwe in Imo State, located in the southeastern region of Nigeria.[11] He moved to the United States to further his education[14] where he obtained a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Science in Information Technology from the University of Texas at Dallas.[15]

Career

Kelechi began his film career in 2009 as a producer and actor in Okra Principle.[16] He started biGObi Productions in 2011[14] and directed the 2012 film Lost In Abroad which has been featured in libraries at Harvard University,[17] Yale University,[18] Stanford University,[19] University of Iowa Libraries,[20] Northwestern University[21] and the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and Madison General Library System.[22] He also directed the 2013 film False Engagement[23] and the 2014 film The Stepchild.[24]

In 2015, he founded The African Film Festival (TAFF), and held the first edition in Dallas, Texas.[3]

In 2019, Kelechi launched African Women Arts & Film Festival (AWAFFEST)[8][9] in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

In 2017, he began the design and engineering of Rootflix, a streaming platform for multi-cultural films, and launched it in 2019.[6][7]

In 2020, Kelechi launched Village Arts & Film Festival (VILLAFFEST)[4][5] in Owerri, Nigeria to celebrate Indigenous Arts and Films. Through VILLAFFEST he wants to empower aspiring artists and hidden talents in various African villages. He has written, directed, produced and starred in many award winning films that focus on Africa - related topics and Human rights.[25]

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. Ihemba means Light of the Community. “Ihe” means light and “mba” means community.[10][11]

Filmography

Title Genre Role Year Reference
Lost In Abroad Drama Writer, Director 2012 [26]
False Engagement Drama Writer, Actor, Director 2013 [23]
African Time Comedy Actor, Director 2014 [27][28]
Weeping Ashes Drama Director 2014 [29]
The Other Tribes Drama Director 2015 [30]
The Black Pot TV Series Director 2015 [31]
Akwuna Short film Actor 2022 [32]
Ihemba Documentary Producer 2024 [33][34]

Awards

Film Awards

2012 - Best African Filmmaker Living Abroad, African Movies Academy Awards.[35]

2015 - People's Choice Best Director, Nollywood and African Film Critics Award.[36]

2015 - Movie Achievement Award, Los Angeles Nollywood Film Awards.[37]

2015 - Merit Award of Awareness at the Awareness Film Festival, California.[38]

2015 - Best Screenwriter, International Movie Awards, Indonesia.[39]

Humanitarian Awards

On May 3, 2014, Kelechi received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Nigerian-American Multicultural Council (NAMC).[14][2]

On August 19, 2023, he received the United States President Lifetime Achievement Award for his social contributions and humanitarian services.[40]

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.[12]

References

Odenigbo: Kelechi Eke plans to build Igbo museum in Dallas

  1. ^ "TAFF founder, Kelechi Eke records another milestone". Vanguard Nigeria. March 4, 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Kelechi Eke: Bridging the gap". galaTAG Magazine. August 23, 2017.
  3. ^ a b "African Film Festival in Texas Bridges Cultures". Voice of America. 2016-07-07. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  4. ^ a b "Dallas-based film maker, Kelechi Eke brings VILLAFFEST to Owerri". Vanguard Nigeria. October 24, 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Filmmakers set to storm Owerri for VILLAFFEST". The Sun (Nigeria). November 7, 2020.
  6. ^ a b Batty, Cormeshia Carson (April 24, 2019). "Nollywood Screening Gets a Facelift with Rootflix". African American newspapers.
  7. ^ a b "Kelechi Eke launches Rootflix". The Punch. March 10, 2019.
  8. ^ a b "Meet Kelechi Eke". Voyage Dallas Magazine.
  9. ^ a b "African Women Arts & Film Festival (AWAFFEST)". Filmfreeway.
  10. ^ a b "Imo community reverberates as film maker, Kelechi Eke takes highest Chieftaincy title". Vanguard Nigeria. January 20, 2024.
  11. ^ a b c 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.
  12. ^ a b Anokam, Sam (April 7, 2024). "More honours for Kelechi Eke". The Nation (Nigeria).
  13. ^ "Odenigbo: Kelechi Eke plans to build Igbo museum in Dallas". Vanguard Nigeria. October 19, 2024.
  14. ^ a b c Ltd, Fresco Software Solution Pvt. "Kelechi Eke | AFRIFAMU". DAORA BEADS. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  15. ^ "Alumni Notes - The University of Texas at Dallas". alumni.utdallas.edu. Retrieved 2024-02-08.
  16. ^ "The okra principle | WorldCat.org". search.worldcat.org. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  17. ^ Eke, Chijindu (2012). "Lost in Abroad: Have we forgotten our Roots?". Harvard University Library – via Bigobi Productions.
  18. ^ Eke, Chijindu Kelechi (2012). "Lost in Abroad: Have We Forgotten Our Roots?". Yale University – via [Dallas, Texas]: Bigobi Productions.
  19. ^ Eke, Chijindu Kelechi (2012). "Lost in abroad: have we forgotten our roots?" (Video Recording). Stanford University – via [Dallas, Tex.?], Bigobi Productions.
  20. ^ Eke, Chijindu Kelechi (2012). "Lost in Abroad : Have We Forgotten Our Roots? / a Kelechi Eke Film" (DVD). University of Iowa – via Bigobi Productions.
  21. ^ Eke, Chijindu Kelechi (2012). "Lost in Abroad : Have We Forgotten Our Roots?" (Video). Northwestern University – via Bigobi Productions.
  22. ^ "Lost in abroad : have we forgotten our roots? | WorldCat.org". search.worldcat.org. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  23. ^ a b "False engagement | WorldCat.org". search.worldcat.org. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  24. ^ "The Stepchild". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  25. ^ "met kelechi eke". voyage dallas. March 21, 2024.
  26. ^ tosan (2012-02-26). ""Lost in Abroad" premiere's at the Majestic Theater". Trendy Africa. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  27. ^ "African Time - A Kelechi Eke Film". World Catalog.
  28. ^ "Texas-Based Nigerian Filmmaker Explores Tardiness as Cultural Rift". Voice of America. August 26, 2014.
  29. ^ "Weeping Ashes - A Kelechi Eke Film". Harvard University Library.
  30. ^ "The Other Tribes by Chijindu Kelechi Eke". World Catalog.
  31. ^ "The Black Pot". IMDb. 2015.
  32. ^ "Veteran Nollywood actress, Stella Damasus, others stars in Akwụna". Boomplay.
  33. ^ "IHEMBA - Ichie Royalty Documentary". IMDb. 2024.
  34. ^ "Kelechi Eke set to release "Ihemba" – Documentary film capturing his Chieftaincy coronation in Imerienwe Ancient Kingdom". Ghana Movie Freak. January 22, 2024.
  35. ^ "Best Filmmaker Living Abroad". Africa Movie Academy Awards IMDb. 2012.
  36. ^ "NAFCA Awards". IMDb. 2015.
  37. ^ G, Vida (2015-09-07). "LANFA Award-Winning Filmmaker to Screen His Films". Hollywood Press Corps. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  38. ^ "Awareness Film Festival, CA". IMDb. 2015.
  39. ^ "A festival of Awards for Kelechi Eke". Trendy Africa. September 13, 2015.
  40. ^ 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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