Joel Kachi Benson

EARLY LIFE

Joel Kachi Benson was born in Lagos State and raised in Aba, Abia State, Nigeria (some sources also note his birth in Lagos). He attended Pampers Private School in Lagos, the College of the Immaculate Conception in Enugu, and Umuagbai Secondary School in Abia State. He holds a diploma in software engineering and a certificate in Information Systems Management from Aptech, as well as a Certificate in Filmmaking from Central Film School, London. He is largely self-taught in filmmaking, drawing from early experiences in computer training and a passion for storytelling.

CAREER

Joel Kachi Benson is a pioneering Nigerian documentary filmmaker, virtual reality (VR) content creator, director, producer, and Creative Director of VR360 Stories (also associated with JB Multimedia Studios), a Lagos-based production company specializing in immersive and social impact storytelling. His work often addresses humanitarian issues, gender rights, education, and displacement in Nigeria and Africa. In 2018, he produced "In Bakassi," the first VR documentary by a Nigerian filmmaker. His 2019 film, "Daughters of Chibok," won the Venice Lion for Best Immersive Story, making him the first African filmmaker to win in this category. He co-directed the Disney documentary "Madu" (2024), which won an Emmy Award. He is also the Creative Director of VR360 Stories and JB Multimedia Studios in Lagos. He has been recognized in New African magazine's Top 100 Most Influential Africans (2019) and MIPAD's Most Influential Persons of African Descent (2021). In 2025, he signed with Cinetic for management, and is widely recognized for pioneering VR in African cinema and using technology for social impact.

Benson's awards include the Venice Lion for Best Immersive Story (2019), Emmy for directing Madu (2025), inclusion in New African magazine's Top 100 Most Influential Africans (2019), and MIPAD's Most Influential Persons of African Descent (2021). In 2025, he signed with Cinetic for management. He is recognized for pioneering VR in African cinema and using technology for social impact.