Nigerian Film Maker Tunde Kelani Biography & Net Worth 2020 (See Details)

3 years ago

Nigerian Film Maker Tunde Kelani Biography & Net Worth 2020 (See Details)

Tunde Kelani popularly known as TK is an internationally acclaimed filmmaker, an ace storyteller, director, photographer, cinematographer, and a movie producer. He is an advocate of Nigerian cultural heritage. So, his movies not only promote but also educate viewers about Nigeria’s culture. He is also known for turning literary materials into movies.

Tunde Kelani Background.

Tunde Kelani, TK was born on the 26th of February 1948. He was born in Lagos but was sent to live with his grandparents in Abeokuta at age 5. His grandfather was the ‘Balogun of Ijaiye Kukudi’. So, he had firsthand access to Yoruba culture, literature, philosophy and world view of arts. He attended the Oke-Ona Primary School Ikija, Abeokuta, then the Abeokuta Grammar school for his secondary education.

He developed an interest in photography while in primary school. Therefore, all through secondary school, he invested his time and money into learning photography. After secondary school, he worked as an apprentice for a photographer so he could learn more and master the craft.

Tunde Kelani then went to train as a cameraman at the former Western Nigeria Television (WNTV) for almost 4years. After his training, he travelled to London where he attended the London Film School for a 2-year course on the arts and techniques of film making. He is married and blessed with three children.

Tunde Kelani Early Career

While at the London Film School, Tunde Kelani worked as a correspondent for BBC TV and Reuters. At Reuters, he covered the drought at Ethiopia and also the independence of Zimbabwe. On concluding his course at the London Film School, he came back to Nigeria and co-produced his first movie, ‘The Dilemma of Reverend Father Micheal’ with Adebayo Faleti.

He has worked as a cinematographer on most feature movies produced in Nigeria. Some of these movies are: Anikura, Ogun Ajaye, Iya Ni Wura, Taxi Driver, Iwa and Fopomoyo. In 1990, he was the assistant director and also acted in the first American movie to be shot in Nigeria titled ‘Mister Johnson’. The film is an adaptation of the 1939 novel by Joyce Cary.

Mainframe Film and Television Productions.

Tunde Kelani, TK established Mainframe Productions in 1992 to promote the Nigerian culture and beliefs through high-quality movies. It is a film and television production company based in Lagos. TK does not just want to provide technical support for other production companies, he truly wants to produce quality movies that will serve as a standard to other production companies. That is why he founded Mainframe Productions. Thus far, Mainframe Film and Television Productions have produced classic features, documentaries, short films, TV programmes and commercials.

Movies of Mainframe Film and Television Productions.

Arambada (TV Show)
Tunmigbe (TV Show) Feature
Ti Oluwa Ni Ile (Feature) – 1993
(Feature) Ti Oluwa Ni Ile 2 – 1993
Ti Oluwa Ni Ile 3 (Feature) – 1993
Ayo Ni Mo Fe (Feature) – 1994
Ayo Ni Mo Fe 2 (Feature) – 1994
Kòseégbé (Feature) – 1995
O Le Ku 1 (Feature) – 1997
O Le Ku 2 (Feature) – 1997
Saworoide (Feature) – 1999
White Handkerchief (Short Film) – 2000
Thunderbolt: Magun (Feature) – 2001
Agogo Eèwò (Feature) – 2002
Abeni (Feature) – 2006
Abeni 2 (Feature) – 2006
The Narrow Path (Feature) – 2006
Life in Slow Motion (Short Film) – 2008
Arugba (Feature) – 2009
Maami (Feature) – 2010
Yeepa (Filmed Play) – 2014
Dazzling Mirage (Feature) – 2014

Tunde Kelani Awards and Recognitions.

Recipient of the prestigious ‘Africa Reel Award’ at the Silicon Valley African Film Festival (SVAFF), California, USA in 2012.
NMA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.
Member of Emmy Awards International Jury in 2015.
Angenieux Award (Prix du Public) at Nollywood week 2015.
African Magic Viewer’s Choice (AMVCA) Industry Merit Award in 2018.
Ecran d’Honneur award at the 22nd edition of the Ecrans Noirs Film Festival in July 2018.
Elected to vote in the Directors Category of the Board of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences also known as ‘The Oscars’ in 2019.
Leopold Sedar Senghor Prize for African Cultural Creativity and Impact in 2019.

Mainframe Film and Media Institute.

Mainframe Film and Media Institute is designed to equip professionals and new entrants in the movie industry with the right theory and practical knowledge they need to be an ace in their career. The goal of the institute is to ensure there is an improvement in Nigeria’s socio-economic and cultural development. This, they do by providing young people and professionals with world-class film and media education so they can create meaningful contents.