# Chijindu Kelechi Eke

Kelechi Eke is a Nigerian film director and software engineer. He is the founder of The African Film Festival (TAFF), founder of Village Arts & Film Festival (VILLAFFEST), and the creator of African movies streaming service, Rootflix.

## Early life

He is also the founder of African Women Arts & Film Festival (AWAFFEST) 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 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.
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.

## Education

Kelechi was born in Amafor, Imerienwe in Imo State, 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 from the University of Texas at Dallas.

## Career

Kelechi began his film career in 2009 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, University of Iowa Libraries, 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.
In 2015, he founded The African Film Festival (TAFF), and held the first edition in Dallas, Texas.
In 2019, Kelechi launched African Women Arts & Film Festival (AWAFFEST) 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.
In 2020, Kelechi launched Village Arts & Film Festival (VILLAFFEST) 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.

## 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.

## Filmography

| Title | Genre | Role | Year |
| Lost In Abroad | Drama | Writer, Director | 2012 |
| False Engagement | Drama | Writer, Actor, Director | 2013 |
| African Time | Comedy | Actor, Director | 2014 |
| Weeping Ashes | Drama | Director | 2014 |
| The Other Tribes | Drama | Director | 2015 |
| The Black Pot | TV Series | Director | 2015 |
| Akwuna | Short film | Actor | 2022 |
| Ihemba | Documentary | Producer | 2024 |

## 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 the 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.