Abbesi Akhamie

Director: The Incredible Sensational Fiancée of Seya Ajayi

Born in Heidelberg, Germany, Abbesi Akhamie is a Nigerian-American filmmaker and educator working between Lagos and Washington, DC. She received her MFA in Film from New York University and holds a BA in Communications from George Mason University. Her work focuses on Africa and diaspora experiences as well as the politics of culture and identity. Her debut short film, Still Water Runs Deep (2017), premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and won Best Student Short Film at Aspen Shorts Fest. Her short film, The Couple Next Door (2020), premiered at Aspen Shorts Fest, won the Audience Choice Award at the Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival, and is streaming on the Criterion Collection. Currently, she is developing her debut feature film, "In My Father's House," as well as a proof-of-concept short film entitled "The Incredible Sensational Fiancée of Seya Ajayi" Abbesi was also selected to participate in the Black Rock Artist Residency based in Dakar, Senegal, founded by Obama presidential portraitist Kehinde Wiley. As an artist, Abbesi has been recently supported by the Chanel Writer's Network, Princess Grace Foundation, SFFILM Rainin Grant, and NYSCA/NYFA. When she is not diligently developing her projects, Abbesi works as a producing instructor at EbonyLife Creative Academy.