Celebrating Ndi-Igbo

Chioma Ude is the enigmatic founder and executive director of Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF). An avid film watcher and commentator, her passion for the industry grew more intense after her involvement in the production of the 2007 Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) UK Roadshow. The ensuing relationship culminated in Chioma producing the 2008 Africa Movie Academy Awards and the institution of a brainchild of hers called the AMAA Charity Benefit. This novel initiative was designed to be an annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) platform for industry practitioners and stakeholders to give back to society.  In 2009, she went on to become the local producer of the ION International Film Festival (IONIFF), held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State in Nigeria. IONIFF is a global touring festival originating from Hollywood, whose objective is the promotion of global awareness and peace through arts, culture and films. Chioma has a degree in marketing fro...

Jason Njoku is the founder and CEO of Iroko Partners, the largest digital distributors of Nigerian music and movies, with a library of over 1600 licensed movies. Mr. Njoku’s, Iroko Partners, consist of 5 web brands; iROKOtv, iROKING, iROKtv, NollywoodLove and YorubaLove. Mr. Njoku is building a modern digital distribution infrastructure using Amazon Web Services, Ooyala and several video ad networks, to service the second largest movie industry in the world (by volume), Nollywood, or Nigerian cinema. According to Pando Daily’s,last year Iroko did eight million YouTube streams a month, with a $1 million revenue run-rate. This traffic has soared. Mr. Njoku holds a BSc, Chemistry from The University of Manchester, University of Manchester - Manchester Business School, 2002 – 2005. He was a speaker at TEDxEuston 2012.

Chineze Anyaene, 26, is the Award-winning director of IJE. She was also the first student film producer in the history of the New York Film Academy to shoot a feature film on 35mm. The film "Ije: The Journey" chronicles the story of a young woman from rural Nigeria who immigrates to the rocket-paced, star-crazed world of Los Angeles. And while the personal stories of the director of that film, Chineze Anyaene, and her protagonist are not exactly identical -- the latter ends up on trial for the murder of three men -- there are distinct similarities between the two women who changed their addresses and perspectives from West Africa to the American West. Chineze recently featured in Levi's action series ‘ Shape of what’s to come ' - a collection of interviews featuring young women who have contributed positively to the arts and various other fields.

Lonzo Nzekwe is the producer, director and writer of award-winning movie, 'Anchor Baby' ‘Anchor Baby’ tells the story of Joyce (played by Omoni Oboli) and Paul Unanga (played by Sam Sarpong), a married illegal immigrant couple living in the US; they have been ordered by the US immigration to leave the country by voluntary departure. They agree to leave; but only after Joyce who is 5months pregnant delivers her baby inside the US. This will guarantee automatic citizenship for their child. Ignoring the deportation order, the couple goes into hiding. Paul was later caught and deported while Joyce stayed back to struggle on her own to achieve their dream. ‘Anchor Baby’ has won international awards including the Best Film award at the 2010 Harlem International Film Festival and has been officially accepted to screen at the ‘Fans of Film’ film festival in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. Lonzo Nzekwe was born in Enugu State; but is a native of Abia State, Nigeria. In 1997...

Nonso Diobi was born July 17th, in Enugu to the Diobi’s family. Nonso Diobi grew up in Anambra state, Nigeria. He grew up with a family of 5, 2 girls and 3 guys. As the last child of the family, Nonso Diobi always saw himself in the limelight and as an independent individual. He began his own mini business at a tender age, selling clothes to his fellow individual at his high school. His parents exposed him to explore his God given talents by doing stage plays at his local church when he was 15years old. He became one of the best in his church drama group. In the fall of 2001, He decided to take his acting skills to another level by entering into the now famous Nollywood. He featured in his first movie “Border line” which was shot by top director “Adim William”. His first breakthrough movie “Hatred” came right after he did Border line” Nonso Diobi never looked back, as Nollywood keeps calling on this young, handsome, dynamic, and multitalented star with many movies to his credits. As th...

Mildred Okwo is a lawyer, artist, writer, manager, movie director and producer. She is also the producer of 30Days, a movie that took Nollywood by storm and opened to rave reviews and critical acclaim. 30 Days, produced by Mildred Okwo’s Native Lingua Films in association with Ego Boyo’s Temple Productions, explores the action-packed tensions that arise when very public officials start getting mysteriously executed. Mildred who grew up in Enugu hails from Nsukka; her mother is from Mbaise in Imo State. She also manages Rita Dominic , Michael Ezuruonye and Ini Edo.

Florence Onuma is a graduate of Theatre Arts from the University of Jos. She went into full time acting in 1991. Her first movie was Lies of destiny. Others include Aristos, Best Lovers, Black Mamba, Come Back To Me, Disguise, Dream Lover, Friend Of The Family, Passions, She Devil, Silent For Life, Tears and Sorrows, Unchained, Strangers In Paradise, Tears In My Heart and many more.

In the film industry, Ngozi Ezeonu could pass for one of the big masquerades. She is professional in her acting and a regular face in most of the films. Married with three kids, Ezeonu, came to national limelight after playing a role in Nneka The Pretty Serpent, a flick directed by top Nollywood producers, Zeb Ejiro. Ngozi hails from Anambra State, but was born and brought up in Owerri, Imo State. She has a diploma in Journalism.

Chika Ike Ebireri who is becoming Nollywood vibrant new actress has been in the industry less than 5 years, but has about 30 movie credit to her name. Chika who hails from Ekwuluobia, Umuchiana village in Anambra State, got her breakthrough in the movie "Blessed Child". She started out as an extra in a Chico Ejiro's Sweet Love. Some of the flicks under Chika's belt are Paradise, Mirror of Beauty, Soul Engagement, Emotional Blackmail, Wisdom of God, Blessed Child and Power of Beauty.

Chidi Mokeme’s fame soared as the anchorman of the first two editions of Gulder Ultimate Search. Today, Mokeme has become a household Nollywood name. His educational pursuit started in Salvation Army Primary School, in Surulere, Lagos, from there he went to Federal Government College, Minna, Niger State and later proceeded to Institute of Management Technology, Enugu, where he read computer science before going into acting as a career.

Izu Ojukwu is a Nigerian film director. Working predominantly in action films, this technically driven director is known for his unorthodox camera work and visuals. He frequently collaborates with Emeka Hill Umeasor. Entering the industry straight out of high school in 1991, Izu has done comparably few movies, preferring to better equip himself with practical training rather than classroom knowledge. Izu was a featured part of the documentary Welcome to Nollywood (2007), as it followed him making his 2007 film Laviva. Source: WIki

Tchidi is a consummate moviemaker and one of the leading producers in Nollywood, Tchidi is a graduate of the University of Calabar with over 50 flicks to his credit. Tchidi who hails from Mbaise, is also a musician. He has had duets with Marvellous Benji, OJB Jezreel and Pat Attah.

Clarion Chukwurah is a top Nollywood actress renowned for her role in the now rested 1980s Nigerian soap – Mirror in the Sun. Clarion was born in 1964 at the University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Lagos. She attended Moluka and Lady Lark nursery schools in Yaba, Lagos and All Saints primary school, Montgomery road, Yaba, Lagos. She then attended Queen of our Rosary College (Q.R.C.), Onitsha, Anambra State. She also studied acting and speech at the Department of Dramatic Arts, University of Ife, Ile-Ife. Clarion Chukwurah Initiative, is a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), designed to support the less privileged in the society.

Genevieve Nnaji is a popular actress from Mbaise in Imo State, Nigeria. She attended Girls Secondary School Akwakuma, Owerri, Imo State and the University of Lagos. Genevieve found mainstream success in Nollywood, Nigeria’s movie industry’s nickname, in 1998, and has consistently added accolades, such as singer, producer to her resume. In 2004 she became the face for Lux soap in a highly lucrative sponsorship deal. Among other actors and actresses, she released her first album, titled No More, in 2005, following a one year acting ban in Nigeria. In May 2008, Nnaji launched her clothing line St. Genevieve which was a success with the Nigerian public. She also later on returned to acting and has since then starred in many great movies like Legal war and Behind the truth Movies Keep My Will - Genevive Nnaji - African/ Nigerian Movies Girl's Cot Private Sin 30 Days the Movie Silent Scandals