Biography
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.
