Awoba Bob Manuel (directed Catch Them Young and I Am Prepared)

Internationally recognised award-winning director/ producer, Awoba Bob-Manuel, definitely sets herself apart by being one of Nigeria’s foremost female directors, possessing a great diversity of ability and talent in various media (stage, TV and film). She is a trained Film Director with a sound background in media and stage directing, has produced short films, and directed cutting edge advertisements and theatre productions.

Awoba has to her film credits, Director of Catch Them Young and I Am Prepared (both of the Bayelsan Silhouettes production) and Four Eyes, and her stage credits include Director of Private Lies (E-mage Xchange) - critics’ favourite, earning her nationwide critical acclaim; Shylock, (Lufodo Productions); and Game of Wit (Havilah Entertainment). She has also directed commercials for MTN, Ecobank, and Dangote, amongst others.

Awoba’s experience spans beyond theatre and the shores of Nigeria. She can be considered a world citizen through her involvement in productions in Botswana, the UK, and Canada.. No doubt in the annals of time regarding Nigeria’s fast rising creative industries, one name that will definitely be mentioned will be Awoba Bob-Manuel.

Mellamby Ileogben (directed Juju Doctor and My Brother’s Keeper)

The happiest people in life don’t have everything but make the best of what life offers them. Life for Mellamby Ileogben has been a pleasant experience.

He hails from Uzebba in Owan West Local government Area of Edo State and was born on April 2, 1971 to late Frederick Ikhazuangbe and Patricia Ifanuanmien Ileogben. Mellamby attended Edo College and University of Benin, where he graduated with a Bsc. Hons in Biochemistry in 1992.

Mellamby’s adventurous nature and passion kept him looking for an opportunity to further the pursuit of his first love, the arts. Kingsley Ogoro, CEO of Klink Audio Visual Limited, gave him that window in 1994. He prefers to describe Klink as a school rather than just a production house; the atmosphere, Mellamby says, was both friendly and challenging and his boss Kingsley Ogoro was ever willing to extend his experience, knowledge and skills. He has worked as a Sound Engineer, Audio Producer (music/radio commercials), Film Editor, Producer and Director, and later became the Manager of Klink Audio Visual Ltd. Throughout his career Mellamby has invested in keeping at the top of his profession by attending professional training seminars in various areas of film production.

He has worked on numerous “Nollywood” home videos in the capacity of Special Effects Director and Assistant Director. These include Scout ‘the movie’, Ibuka ‘King of the forest’, and Highway to the Grave, which won him a Best Special Effects Award (The Movie Awards, 2000).

Mellamby started Orbit Audio Visual Limited in 2002, a one-stop radio and television production outfit involved in the production of documentaries, movies and commercials. He is a respected director who has worked with many foreign and local crews both in Nigeria and around Africa.

He likes meeting great people because he is inspired by them, respects great ideas and fears God. Mellamby is married to Esther, who he says has been a huge motivation (and hopes she sees him the same way!) and is blessed with a daughter, Emmanuella (8 years) and a son, Aide, who though two years old, always believes he can do everything Daddy can do.

Tunde Kelani (directed Only Once, The Visit, and You No Be Man)

Tunde Kelani holds a Diploma in the Art and Technique of Filmmaking from the London International Film School, London.  After many years in the Nigerian film industry as a Cinematographer, he now manages Mainframe Film & Television Productions, an outfit created to document Nigeria’s rich culture. 

Tunde Kelani has worked on most feature films produced in Nigeria in his capacity as a Cinematographer.  Some of his 16mm feature films include:  ANIKURA; OGUN AJAYE; IYA NI WURA; TAXI DRIVER; IWA and FOPOMOYO.  In the area of video productions, he has to his credit award-winning feature videos:  TI OLUWA NILE; AYO NI MO FE; KOSEEGBE and OLEKU.  An advocate of ‘alternative technology’ in motion production in Africa, Tunde Kelani has successfully produced and directed SAWOROIDE, THUNDERBOLT, AGOGOEEWO, THE WHITE HANDKERCHIEF, and THE CAMPUS QUEEN all on DVCAM.  In addition to the M-Net short features films, TWINS OF THE RAIN FOREST, A PLACE CALLED HOME and BARBER’S WISDOM (35mm), he also photographed, produced and directed a short feature in 16mm: THE WHITE HANDKERCHIEF. 

Tunde Kelani now works in digital video making low budget films because of Nigeria’s poor economy. Additionally, he has developed a Mobile Cinema Project, designed to take information and entertainment to audiences in urban and rural areas of the country.