Omonike Akinyemi:
Filmmaker & Choreographer
Omonike Akinyemi is a passionate filmmaker and choreographer. After performing with the Ballet Hispanico of New York Apprentice Dance Company, she formed Alaafia Dance of Yale University. Omonike holds an MFA in Film Production from the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts. She has produced, written and directed numerous award winning films and theatrical productions including the stageplay, “How to Stay Sane in Paris” (2007), films Nelly's Bodega (2000), and Fatima (2006), and "Opening Doors" (2013).
A two-time Fellow of the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA), Omonike was honored in 2004 with a Fellowship for Screenwriting and again in 2007 with a Fellowship in Filmmaking. While based in France from 1999-2003, Omonike wrote her first episodes of the episodic narrative film series she is producing, “Omo Shango: People Under the Influence of the God of Thunder" and was honored in Paris with the Cinema Images D’Ailleurs “Prix Jeune Cineaste”.
As a part of the Dance for Film team, Omonike created an environment to allow the dance choreographers to approach their work through non-traditional narrative development, a process involving scripting through dance, video editing of rehearsal footage to facilitate the on-set film choreography, recruiting all other creative collaborators, and facilitating engagement between the choreographers, the greater Montclair, New Jersey community, and the university.
As the producer of "Into the Eye of Soliloquy", Omonike also mentored a crew of eight Montclair State University students in the shooting and editing. Their film was screened at the University's Teaching Symposium and can be seen here: https://vimeo.com/channels/1031351/147876609
Upcoming Works: Emancipado, Feature Film in Development. Casting for Live Stage Performance begins April 2019.
Past Awards and Prizes Include:
Best Drama Prize. Through her Eyes Film Festival, 2004 for "Nelly's Bodega".
Screenings:
WNET Channel 13/Reel New York, KTEH, KCET, WNYA,
New York Public Library, Young Adult Section, the Forum Les Halles in Paris, France.
Torino Festival Cinema Delle Donnee, Women's Film Festival, 2001.
Harlem Film Festival, 2003.
Recent Choreographic Works: (samples available by request)
Emancipado
Garrotin
Paris/Black/Woman
Creation
Omonike's Work as a professional Videographer and Editor can also be seen here:
Video used to train family's on the first three steps in the Son-Rise Program for children with Autism.
Award Winning Documentary on the Links of Morris County, New Jersey.
Omonike created a 45 minute documentary on the history and programs of this chapter of a national service organization.
Center for Family Services, in Camden, New Jersey
Shot , edited, and directed video on this Non-profit organization which reach people who may never know of the life changing services available to them in their county.
In the work of the students and dancers of Navatman Dance Company, for the past 5 years Omonike has documented moments on stage where these dancers bring culture to life:
Omonike's Photography Work also encapsulates her attention to the subject's personality, culture, vibrancy and is approached with care. Her Photography Reel can be seen here.
For Information on how to work with Omonike Akinyemi for film and video direction projects, videography, photography, and editing services, contact:
By Phone: 917-340-1624
