Ekene Mekunye

EARLY LIFE

Ekene Som Mekwunye was born on 22 April 1978 in Surulere, Lagos State, Nigeria. He is the son of Ezekolie Peter Mekwunye (who passed away in 2016) and Lozie Grace Mekwunye. Growing up in Lagos, he developed an early interest in visual storytelling and media. His passion for film began informally, including working as a camera assistant at his church, which sparked his professional journey in the entertainment industry. He pursued formal education with a degree in Insurance from the University of Lagos, providing him with a strong business foundation. Later, he studied filmmaking at the New York Film Academy (NYFA) in Los Angeles at Universal Studios, honing his technical and creative skills in cinema. He is also enrolled in an Executive MBA program at the Lagos Business School, blending his creative pursuits with advanced business acumen. These formative experiences in Lagos and international training shaped his versatile approach to storytelling, combining cultural roots with global filmmaking techniques.

CAREER

Ekene Som Mekwunye is a renowned Nigerian film director, producer, screenwriter, educator, TV producer, and photographer. He began his career in media as a camera assistant at his church before advancing to roles at Africa Magic, where he worked on popular shows like 53extra, Jara, and all Channel O content in Nigeria. He later served as project coordinator for MTV Shuga, overseeing the production of the hit series Shuga 3. His directorial debut came with the short film Oblivious, which won the 2015 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award (AMVCA) for Best Short Film. He founded Riverside Productions and created the popular wedding reality TV show My Big Nigerian Wedding, along with the DMC World DJ Championship. Other notable short films include The Encounter (2017 AMVCA for Best Soundtrack/Original Score), A Simple Letter, and Lasgidi Vice (screened at the Cannes International Film Festival in 2018). Mekwunye made his feature film production debut with Sylvia (2018), released in Nigerian cinemas and screened at festivals like Nollywood Week in Paris and BFI. He directed and produced his first feature, Light In The Dark (2019, co-directed with Chidinma Uzodike), which received three AMVCA nominations in 2022 (including Best Director) and screened at festivals across five continents, including Nollywood Week Paris, Silicon Valley African Film Festival, Soo Film Festival (USA), Brasilia International Film Festival (Brazil), Durban International Film Festival (South Africa), and events in India, Egypt, Tunisia, Nigeria, and Australia. It won Best Director at the Kaduna International Film Festival in 2020. Subsequent works include One Lagos Night (2021, acquired by Netflix with international release on 29 May 2021; two AMVCA nominations in 2022), Honey Money (directed in 2022, released in cinemas April 2023, starring Nancy Isime, Timini Egbuson, and others), and Amazon Prime Video releases Ambivalent and Kali (April 2024). Move Like A Boss premiered in Nigerian cinemas in August 2024. His Yoruba-language drama Èwò (meaning "forbidden") was released in cinemas across Nigeria and Ghana on 18 July 2025. Films like I Hate Love Stories and Honey Money screened at the Zanzibar International Film Festival in August 2024—the first Nigerian films there in nearly 10 years. As an educator, Mekwunye serves as adjunct faculty at the School of Media and Communication, Pan Atlantic University, teaching final-year students film production and techniques. He organizes free workshops for young filmmakers through The Imagery Program (covering screenwriting, filmmaking, and acting for screen). He delivered a TED Talk in 2020 in Eastern Nigeria on the power of storytelling through films and was invited by MIT to speak at a 2022 conference titled "Videography In the Hands of the People" in Boston. His photography work complements his filmmaking, adding visual depth to his creative output.

PERSONAL LIFE

Ekene Som Mekwunye is married to Mutiat Mekwunye (née Omotosho), whom he wed in April 2012 in Lagos. The couple has two children together. He maintains a balanced personal life alongside his demanding career, often emphasizing the importance of family and loved ones. His personal journey reflects resilience and dedication, influenced by his parents and the vibrant Lagos environment where he was raised. Mekwunye is known for his grounded personality and commitment to mentorship, frequently giving back through free workshops for aspiring filmmakers. While he keeps much of his family life private, his public presence highlights a man who values relationships, cultural heritage, and continuous personal growth through education and creative expression.

Ekene Som Mekwunye is a celebrated Nigerian filmmaker and photographer whose work emphasizes impactful storytelling, cultural authenticity, and social relevance. His films have garnered international acclaim, multiple AMVCA nominations and wins, and screenings at prestigious festivals worldwide. Beyond directing and producing, he is a dedicated educator and mentor, fostering the next generation of Nigerian filmmakers through workshops and university teaching.