With a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems, a Master of Science degree in Information Technology and another Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA), one would have expected Kelechi Eke to be trail blazing in Silicon Valley. No,no, no. Kelechi has found a niche for himself in the movie industry – bridging the gap between Hollywood and Africa.
A Writer, Director and Producer for BIGOBI, his multimedia company, he has hosted and produced “The Black Pot” – a cooking show on
African cuisines. Produced the films -“False Engagement” and “Lost in Abroad”. A Lifetime Achievement Award was given to him by the Nigerian-American Multicultural Center (NAMC) in 2014.
This Owerri born Nigerian has always felt African independent films, directors, producers, writer sand actors are not given the recognition and accolade they deserve. From this came the birth of The African Film Festival which is hosted in Dallas, Texas yearly. Giving independent African Films a platform, TAFF places a spotlight on the artistry and efforts of some of the best African independent filmmakers giving Hollywood an awareness of their existence while at the same time bring them into the fold. These movies are rich in African culture and address issues in Africa – encouraging the world to not only make films in Africa but about Africa and the African.
Nigerian veteran actor: Richard Mofe Damijo RMD was the host of the 2017 Festival. Some of the movies screened this year at the African American Museum of Dallas were, 14:32 (GHANA – Best Trailer),Call Me Thief (South Africa – Best narrative), Telling the story of slavery (USA – Best Documentary) Corner Stone (Uganda – Best Cinematographer – Jan Köhler), Oloibiri (NIGERIA – Best Indigenous), What Kept Me going (Zambia), Khayalami- My Home (Zimbabwe) and Wintry Spring: Best Screenwriters – Tamer AbdulHamid and Mohamed Kamel (EGYPT).The full list of movies can be found and viewed at https://theafricanfilmfestival.org/Films/Year/2017
TAFF works to make African films available to schools and public libraries to further the studies of African history and culture. It also creates a forum for African and American independent filmmakers to meet and dialog on issues pertaining to their industry. Kelechi has refused to turn his back on these culturally rich and talented group of Africans who make these movies with a budget of peanuts yet the finished products are classic