Ikenna Okpara

Biography

Ikenna Okpara is a Nigerian screenwriter and film producer who transitioned from a background in Building to a career in storytelling. His journey into filmmaking began in 2017 with the short story "Sunburn," co-written with Emmanuella Dunia. The story caught the attention of Nollywood veteran Nosa Obaseki, leading to its adaptation into a film featuring notable actors like Mary Lazarus and Yvonne Jegede. Encouraged by this success, Okpara continued to write and produce films, including "Complicated Lies," which premiered in Canada. In 2018, he ventured into film production with the feature "One," collaborating with director Kenny Basil in Enugu. Despite challenges, the project was a success and led to further works like "Thorns," co-produced with Chinenye Ulaegbu and directed by Basil. Okpara's collaborations extended to producers like Evans Osifo in the U.S., and he co-founded YouTube channels "Alternate Universe Pictures" and "eFactoryTV" for short films. His dedication to storytelling is evident in his continuous efforts to learn and create, often working with limited resources. Okpara credits his mother, Margaret Alabuike-Okpara, as a significant influence in his life and career.