Obi Emelonye

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Wikipedia

Obi Emelonye
Born (1967-03-24) 24 March 1967 (age 58)
Port Harcourt, Nigeria
EducationPhD
Alma materEastern Mediterranean University
University of Nigeria, Nsukka
University of Wolverhampton
Occupationsfilm maker
producer
director
Years active2000–present
Notable credits
AwardsSee below

Obi Emelonyelistenⓘ (born 24 March 1967) is a Nigerian film director.[1] He is known for directing award-winning films such as Last Flight to Abuja (2012), The Mirror Boy (2011), and Onye Ozi (2013).[2][3]

In 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic, which shut down businesses globally, Obi Emelonye became the first film director to make a movie via Zoom, by working remotely with cast members in London and Lagos.[4] The movie, Heart 2 Heart, received critical acclaim from major media outlets all over the world.[5]

In December 2022, Obi Emelonye was presented with the British Urban Film Festival honorary award by producer/director Don Omope[6] for a 20+ year outstanding contribution to cinema at a ceremony in London.[7]

Education

He is a member of the UK Directors Guild as well as the British Film Institute (BFI).[8]

Filmography

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Result Ref
2021 Africa Movie Academy Awards Best Film by an African Living Abroad Won [13]
2021 Changing Face International Festival Best Trailer Award Won [14]
2023 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards Best Director Nominated [15][16]

References

  1. ↑ "I donated my kidney as reparation –Obi Emelonye". Nigerian Tribune. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  2. ↑ Micheal Abimboye (27 May 2014). "Nigerian movie producer, Obi Emelonye, arrested, released by police". Premium Times. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  3. ↑ Benjamin Njoku (9 July 2011). "My Mirror Boy story, by Obi Emelonye". Vanguard Nigeria. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  4. ↑ "Obi Emelonye to premiere 'Heart 2 Heart' directed remotely using Zoom". Pulse Nigeria. 5 May 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  5. ↑ Okang, Naa Atswei Deisa (29 August 2020). "Heart2Heart: Love in the time of Corona". Humans of Africa. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  6. ↑ "Don Omope | Producer, Director, Writer". IMDb. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  7. ↑ "Obi Emelonye given Lifetime Achievement award by Black Urban Film Festival for Nollywood movies". University of Huddersfield. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  8. ↑ "Obi Emelonye". University of Huddersfield Research Portal. Archived from the original on 14 November 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  9. ↑ "Obi Emelonye's new film 'Blackmail' scoops first award". Pulse Nigeria. 24 September 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  10. ↑ "Princess Halliday empowers through new series". The Nation Newspaper. Lagos, Nigeria. 13 December 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  11. ↑ "5 things to know about Obi Emelonye's 1st TV series". Pulse Nigeria. 7 May 2015. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  12. ↑ Echoes of War, Montrose Films, 25 April 2004, retrieved 13 December 2025
  13. ↑ Banjo, Noah (29 October 2021). "FULL LIST: Ayinla, Omo Ghetto: The Saga bag multiple nominations at AMAA 2021". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  14. ↑ "Obi Emelonye's new film 'Blackmail' scoops first award". Pulse Nigeria. 24 September 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  15. ↑ "Full List: Here are all our AMVCA 9 Nominees". AMVCA - Full List: Here are all our AMVCA 9 Nominees. Retrieved 23 April 2023.[permanent dead link]
  16. ↑ "FULL LIST: Who won what at AMVCA 2023". Daily Trust. 21 May 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2023.