Okechukwu Oku


Okechukwu Oku also known as The Oracle is a Nigerian movie producer, director, cinematographer and occasional musician. He is best known for directing the movies Love and Oil, Burning Bridges and Bambitious which featured Belinda Effah and Daniel K Daniel.

Early life

Oku was born in Enugu, Southeastern Nigeria and is the second of eleven children of Goddy and Winifred Oku. He is of Igbo descent and hails from Ukpo in Dunukofia local government area of Anambra State. His father, Goddy was a popular Nigerian musician in the 1970s and his mother Winifred Oku is a retired Nigerian Civil Servant. Oku’s younger brother, Udoka Selebobo Oku, is a music producer and singer.
Oku began his formal education at the WTC Primary School in Enugu and went on to St. Charles Special Science School, Onitsha, Anambra State. Halfway through his University education, Oku left school to pursue his passion in the arts; Oku immersed himself in music, recording a few gospel tracks of his own and producing music for a number of musicians in Southeast Nigeria, Oku eventually veered into the art of music video directing.

Career

In 2001, Oku began shooting music videos for a number of music performers from South Eastern Nigerian including Resonance, Flavour N'abania and SeleBobo. His love for cinematography grew stronger thus leading to his gradual venture into feature film production in 2011.
Oku began working as a cinematographer and film editor in 2011 and worked on a number of African movies including The Great Niger Mission, Brother's Keeper, Jafaar, Reflection, Last 3 Digits, Refugee, and The Duplex.
In 2013, Oku began directing and producing his own feature films; Love and Oil, Burning Bridges, The Bible, The Boss is Mine, and Black Rose.
His work as an Editor and Cinematographer in the 2014 Feature Film, Brother's Keeper earned him nominations at the 2013 Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards for Best Cinematography, as well as the 2014 Nollywood Movies Awards for Best Editing.
In 2015, Oku received several awards at the Afrifimo Awards and Film /Music Festival including the award for Best Film Director, Best Cinematographer and Best Video Editor. His movie Bambitious, which features Nigerian Actor Daniel K Daniel, also took home the gong for Best Independent Film and Best Romance
In December 2015, Oku was nominated for Best Cinematographer for a Movie or TV Series at the 2016 African Magic Viewers' Choice Awards for the film The Refugees.

Personal life

Oku is married to Queendalyn Oku. They have three children and live in Enugu, Nigeria.

Filmography

Feature Films
YearTitleMajor CastRoleNotes
2012Brother's KeeperOmoni Oboli, Beverly Naya, Majid Michel, Barbara SokiCinematographer, EditorFeature Film, nominated for the 2014 Nollywood Movies Awards for Best Editing and also for the 2013 Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards for Best Cinematography
2012Last 3 DigitsNonso Diobi, Sidney "Dr. Sid" Esiri, Yomi Blaq, Rachel OnigaDirector of PhotographyFeature Film, won Best International Film Award
2013Finding MercyRita Dominic, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Chioma AkpothaDirector of PhotographyFeature Film, Africa Movie Academy Award - Best Actor, Nollywood Movie Award - Best Rising Star, Nigerian Entertainment Award - Best Supporting Actor
2014Love and OilYul Edochie, Nuella Njubigbo, Jibola Dabo, Chinaza EkezieDirectorFeature Film
2014Burning BridgesIvie Okujaye, Ken Erics, Esther AuduDirectorFeature Film
2014BambitiousBelinda Effah, Bucci Franklin, Daniel K Daniel, Ebele Okaro-OnyiukeDirector, Cinematographer, EditorFeature Film, won multiple awards at the AAFMF
2014RefugeesYvonne Nelson, Belinda Effah, Diana Yekinni, Sandra Don Dufe, Ross Fleming, David ChinCinematographerFeature Film, nominated for Best Cinematography at the 2016 AMVCA
2014ChetannaChigozie Atuanya, Queen NwokoyeDP, EditorFeature Film, nominated for Best Igbo Film at the 2014 AMVCA and won GIAMA Awards for Best Indigenous Film
2016BlackroseBlossom Chukwujekwu, Ebele Okaro-Onyiuke, Lilian Echelon, Betty Bellor, William Iruoha DirectorFeature Film
2016A Better FamilyFrederick Leonard, IK OgbonnaDirector, DP, EditorFeature Film, released on Youtube
2016Excess LuggageIK Ogbonna, Mike Ezuronye, Queen NwokoyeDP, EditorFeature Film, nominated for the BON Awards for Best Comedy and a Toronto Film Festival Official Selection
2016JofranIK Ogbonna, Lisa OmorodionProducer, Director, DP, EditorFeature Film, Africa Magic Original Film
2016Let's hit the StreetsAlex Ekubo, IK OgbonnaDirector, DP, EditorFeature Film
2016Tommy and KennyBelinda Effah, Buchi FranklinDirector, DP, EditorFeature Film
2017Dirty LaundryZach Orji, Kalu IkeaguProucer, Director, DP, EditorFeature Film, Africa Magic Original Film
2017American DriverEvan King, Jim Iyke, Anita Chris, Nse Ikpe Etim, Nadia Buari, Emma Nyra, Ayo Makun, Laura Heuston, McPc the Comedian, Michael Tula, Andie RavenCinematographerFeature Film, won Best Comedy at The People's Film Festival in 2017
2017Sarah's EpiphanyDaniella Okeke, Mike Ezuruonye, Anthony MonjaroDirectorFeature Film
2017LeviRamsey Noah, Nancy Isime, Deyemi OkanlawonDirector/Producer/EditorFeature Film

Music Videos