Nigerian Actor, Writer, Engineer, Film Director.

His Alternate Names:
Chijindu Eke
Kelechi Eke

Chijindu Kelechi Eke grew up in Owerri, Nigeria and came to the United States to pursue higher education. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems as well as a Master of Science degree in Information Technology and another Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA). Kelechi serves as the Writer/Director/Producer for BIGOBI, a multimedia company that he formed. He is the creator of biGObi.com, a web portal to showcase his productions; and to capture various events. Kelechi designed a biGObi iPhone app for the website which is available for free download at the Apple store.

Despite his astute technical background, Kelechi has always had a penchant for storytelling and creative arts. In the year 2011, he decided to dabble into filmmaking under biGObi Productions. His first movie, "Lost in Abroad", is a thought provoking drama about the trials and tribulations of Africans living abroad. Using a combination of humor and traditional African storytelling styles, Kelechi is able to effectively showcase the different perspectives of African parents and children, as well as their American counterparts. After debuting to a large crowd at the Majestic Theatre in Dallas, Texas, "Lost in Abroad" became the first African movie to premiere at the historic theatre. The event may have been the first time that over 750 people came together at once to watch a film made by a Nigerian. The movie was later accepted into the library of many Ivy League schools (including Harvard, Yale, and Stanford) as a reference material for African Studies.

Kelechi has used his movie production company to provide opportunities to talents looking for the chance to showcase their skills on the big screen. His second film, "False Engagement", was released on Valentine's Day February 14th, 2013 before a sold-out capacity in Dallas, Texas. The movie became the first African film with such feat for a film released on a week night. It later won Best Drama Film at the Festival of Arts and Cultural Expo (FACE) in Atlanta, Georgia on May 3rd, 2014. Kelechi's latest feature film, "African Time", a comedy which addresses the habit of tardiness among many Africans, was premiered on February 22nd, 2014. The movie earned him an invitation to the General Consulate of Nigeria's 54th Independence Celebration where "African Time" was shown in the presence of the Ambassador and various diplomats. Kelechi Eke's recent short film, "Weeping Ashes", which condemns burning gay people alive in various parts of Africa; won the Best Screenplay at the International Movie Awards in Indonesia on September 24th, 2014. His next film, "The Other Tribes", is about tribalism in Africa; and will be released on February 14th 2015.

In his spare time Kelechi, enjoys coaching and playing soccer with the "Africa United Football Club", a club he founded in 1997, and championship winners of the 2010 Division 1 North Texas Premier Soccer League. His passion for bringing Africans together is reflected in both his football team and in his style of film making. Given his frequent nostalgic experience as an international student when he first came to the United States to study, he formed Africa United to help provide a support group for young Africans far away from home and to create a team-building environment for many African youths in the diaspora.

Kelechi is the founder and host of "The Black Pot" - a cook show that documents how to make various African cuisines. He is also the founder and Executive Producer of "Africa Talk Show" in Dallas, Texas. His involvement in the African diaspora community and his dedication to expressing the diverse stories of Africans through writing, directing, and producing; earned him a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Nigerian-American Multicultural Center (NAMC) on May 3rd, 2014 in Houston, Texas. It is noteworthy that Kelechi Eke is the first African filmmaker that Writes, Directs, Produces, Shoots, Edits, and Stars in his own movie.
- IMDb Mini Biography By: Dr. Maria C. Okafor, PhD

ABOUT Kelechi Eke
Kelechi Eke is a Nigerian American Software Engineer and Filmmaker with many years of experience in the world of technology. Despite his astute technical background, Kelechi has always had a penchant for storytelling and creative arts. In the year 2011, he decided to dabble into filmmaking under biGObi Productions. Since then, he has written, directed, produced, and starred in many award-winning films that focus on Africa-related topics and human Rights. All his released films, till date, have been accepted into the libraries of various Ivy League schools (including Harvard, Yale, and Stanford University) as reference materials for African Studies.

In his spare time Kelechi, enjoys coaching and playing soccer with the Africa United Football Club. Given his frequent nostalgic experience as an international student when he first came to the United States to study, he formed the club in 1997 to help provide a support group and team-building environment for young Africans far away from home. He mentored many over the years and won several soccer championships with the club, including becoming Champions of the North Texas Premier Soccer League. His passion for bringing Africans together is reflected in both his football team and in his style of film making.

Kelechi is the founder and host of The Black Pot - a cook show that documents how to make various African cuisines - inspired by the increasing number of first generation Africans overseas, and the rise of foreign spouses among Africans. He also founded Africa Talk Show - a series that touches on some of the challenges that African immigrants face abroad. His involvement in the African diaspora community and his dedication to expressing the diverse stories of Africans through writing, directing, acting, and producing; earned him a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Nigerian-American Multicultural Center (NAMC) on May 3rd, 2014 in Houston, Texas.

On April 20th 2015, Kelechi founded The African Film Festival (TAFF) with the vision to increase the availability of African films in non-African communities. Through TAFF, he has created a large network of African filmmakers worldwide. He designed and produced the beautiful TAFF Trophy, which became one of the most coveted trophies in the African Film Industry. On Nigeria's Independence Anniversary, October 1st, 2016; Project Green White Green honored him with an award for "Outstanding Personality in service to Humanity and Society." On February 24th, 2018; the African Fashion and Music Festival honored him with African Community Achievement Award for "Outstanding Community Dedication on African Arts and Entertainment Development."

Kelechi is currently working with TAFF Ambassadors from twelve African countries to facilitate film workshops for underprivileged aspiring filmmakers across continental Africa. On July 28th, 2018; EQT Magazine honored him with "Pan-African Thrive Award" in recognition of his efforts in bringing Africans together, helping talents thrive in the marketplace, and for his hard work in building the African film industry abroad. On September 29th, 2018; the Hollywood & African Prestigious Awards honored him for his contribution to Culture and Arts.

On March 28th to March 31st, 2019, Kelechi will launch African Women Arts & Film Festival (AWAFFEST) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. He created AWAFFEST to celebrate arts and stories of African women, and to empower upcoming female artists with the confidence to become successful independent practitioners without falling victims to any form of exploitation.

BIGOBI PRODUCTIONS /// Director
BIGOBI is a multimedia company based in Dallas, Texas, specializing in Independent Film Production, Information Technology Consulting, and African Events Marketing.
July 2015 - Till Date

THE AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL (TAFF) /// Executive Director
TAFF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created to give back to the African Independent film community. It was made to "Bridge cultures through films" by inviting a diverse audience to celebrate some of the best films about continental Africa.
September 2000 - Till June 2015

TECHNICAL RESOURCE GROUP and MATRIX SYSTEMS /// Senior Consultant
Kelechi Eke worked for both Technical Resource Group and Matrix Systems for many years. Through these consulting firms he worked for over ten different companies in various challenging, yet rewarding, Software Engineering projects.

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He is Known for three films as producer: The Other Tribes (2015), Weeping Ashes (2014), Mystery of Birds (2011) & African Time (2014).

Filmography (as Producer)
2017 - 4 Minutes (Short) (producer)
2016 - The Stepchild (producer)
2016 - Africa Talk Show (TV Series) (producer)
2015 - On the Pulpit (TV Series) (executive producer)
2015 - The Black Pot (TV Series) (producer)
2015 - Night to Laugh (TV Series) (executive producer)
2015 - The Other Tribes (producer)
2014 - Her Dream (Short) (producer)
2014 - Weeping Ashes (Short) (producer)
2014 - African Time (producer)
2013 - False Engagement (producer)
2012 - Lost in Abroad (producer)
2011 - Mystery of Birds (producer - as Chijindu Eke)
2009 - The Okra Principle (producer)

Filmography (as Director)
2016 - The Stepchild
2016 - Africa Talk Show (TV Series)
2015 - On the Pulpit (TV Series)
2015 - The Black Pot (TV Series)
2015 - Night to Laugh (TV Series)
2015 - The Other Tribes
2014 - Her Dream (Short)
2014 - Weeping Ashes (Short)
2014 - African Time
2013 - False Engagement
2012 - Lost in Abroad

Filmography (as Actor)
2016 - The Stepchild /// Role: Chima
2015 - Madison Lane /// Role: Dad
2015 - The Other Tribes /// Role: Ouma
2014 - Weeping Ashes (Short) /// Role: Daniel
2014 - African Time /// Role: Ugo
2013 - False Engagement /// Role: Kelechi
2012 - Lost in Abroad /// Role: Obi
2011 - Mystery of Birds /// Role: Chukwudi (as Chijindu Eke)
2009 - The Okra Principle /// Role: Arinze (as Chijindu Eke)

Filmography (as ScreenWriter)
2016 - The Stepchild
2015 - The Other Tribes
2014 - Her Dream (Short)
2014 - Weeping Ashes (Short) (writer)
2014 - African Time (written by)
2013 - False Engagement
2012 - Lost in Abroad

Filmography (as Cinematographer)
2016 - Africa Talk Show (TV Series)
2015 - On the Pulpit (TV Series)
2015 - The Black Pot (TV Series)
2015 - Night to Laugh (TV Series)
2014 - Her Dream (Short)
2014 - African Time
2013 - False Engagement
2012 - Lost in Abroad (filmed by)

Filmography (as Editor)
2015 - Night to Laugh (TV Series)
2015 - The Other Tribes
2014 - Her Dream (Short)
2014 - Weeping Ashes (Short)

Source: www.imdb.com/name/nm3734802/

Updated by Thierno I. Dia, on 18 June 2019