| Obi Emelonye | |
| Birth Date: | 24 March 1967 |
| Birth Place: | Port Harcourt, Nigeria |
| Nationality: | Nigerian |
| Education: | PhD |
| Alma Mater: | Eastern Mediterranean University University of Nigeria, Nsukka University of Wolverhampton |
| Years Active: | 2000–present |
| Occupation: | film maker producer director |
| Awards: | See below |
Obi Emelonye (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. The movie, Heart 2 Heart, received critical acclaim from major media outlets all over the world.
In December 2022, Obi Emelonye was presented with the British Urban Film Festival honorary award by producer/director Don Omope for a 20+ year outstanding contribution to cinema at a ceremony in London.
Obi Emelonye, a former professional footballer and law professional, graduated from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) Enugu State, with BA (Hons) Theatre Arts degree (1990). He went on to study for an LLB Law degree from the University of Wolverhampton (1998). He completed a post-graduate degree in Legal Practice from London Metropolitan University (2002) and practised Law for a few years before focusing on his first love, film. In 2019, Obi Emelonye acquired certifications to become a Chartered Management consultant. He is a member of the UK Directors Guild as well as the British Film Institute (BFI).[4]
| Year | Award | Category | Result | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Africa Movie Academy Awards | Best Film by an African Living Abroad | [6] | ||
| 2023 | Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards | Best Director | [7] [8] |