Biografi
Chijindu Kelechi Eke was raised in Owerri, Nigeria, before moving to the United States to pursue higher education. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems, a Master of Science in Information Technology, and an MBA. Kelechi is the Writer, Director, and Producer of BIGOBI, a multimedia company he founded. He created biGObi.com, a web portal to showcase his productions and document various events. Additionally, he developed the biGObi iPhone app, available for free download on the Apple Store.
Despite his strong technical background, Kelechi has always been passionate about storytelling and the creative arts. In 2011, he ventured into filmmaking with biGObi Productions. His debut film, "Lost in Abroad," is a compelling drama about the challenges faced by Africans living overseas. Combining humor with traditional African storytelling, Kelechi effectively highlights the differing perspectives of African parents, their children, and their American counterparts. The film premiered to a large audience at the Majestic Theatre in Dallas, Texas, becoming the first African movie to debut at this historic venue. The premiere marked the first occasion where over 750 people gathered to watch a Nigerian-made film. "Lost in Abroad" was later included in the libraries of numerous Ivy League universities, such as Harvard, Yale, and Stanford, as reference material for African Studies.
Through his production company, Kelechi offers opportunities to emerging talents seeking to showcase their abilities on the big screen. His second film, "False Engagement," premiered on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2013, to a sold-out crowd in Dallas, Texas. It was the first African film to achieve such attendance for a weeknight screening. The film won Best Drama Film at the Festival of Arts and Cultural Expo (FACE) in Atlanta, Georgia, on May 3, 2014. Kelechi's latest feature, "African Time," a comedy addressing the habit of tardiness common among many Africans, premiered on February 22, 2014. This film earned him an invitation to the Nigerian Consulate’s 54th Independence Celebration, where it was screened in the presence of the Ambassador and several diplomats. His recent short film, "Weeping Ashes," which condemns the burning of gay people alive in parts of Africa, won Best Screenplay at the International Movie Awards in Indonesia on September 24, 2014. His upcoming film, "The Other Tribes," focusing on tribalism in Africa, is scheduled for release on February 14, 2015.
In his free time, Kelechi enjoys coaching and playing soccer with the Africa United Football Club, which he founded in 1997. The team won the 2010 Division 1 North Texas Premier Soccer League championship. His commitment to uniting Africans is evident both in his football club and his filmmaking approach. Reflecting on his own experiences as an international student in the U.S., Kelechi established Africa United to offer support to young Africans far from home and to foster team-building among African youths in the diaspora.
Kelechi is also the founder and host of "The Black Pot," a cooking show that explores how to prepare various African dishes. He serves as the founder and Executive Producer of "Africa Talk Show" based in Dallas, Texas. His active involvement in the African diaspora community and his dedication to sharing diverse African stories through writing, directing, and producing earned him a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Nigerian-American Multicultural Center (NAMC) on May 3, 2014, in Houston, Texas. Notably, Kelechi Eke is the first African filmmaker to write, direct, produce, shoot, edit, and star in his own films.
