By Benjamin Njoku

Being a filmhouse owner according to experts, “is not for everyone.” But it can be a great career for those who are passionate about films and dedicated to their business. Nice Kenechukwu Okwor aptly belongs to these class of professionals.

Nice-Kenechukwu

Since 2003, Nice has been operating a filmhouse as a way of expressing his passion for the industry. He revealed that he started the business way back in Canada, where he was formerly residing before he relocated to the country few years ago. He’s currently the owner of a single-screen theater located in Surulere area of Lagos, which first opened two years ago.

The Accounting graduate of the University of Nigeria, Enugu campus, who is also a musician producer and an entrepreneur par excellence, said he returned home to contribute his own quota to the development of the nation’s entertainment industry. His cinema house better known as Kene Cinema has a capacity of containing 1000 theatre goers.

Nice said, since the inception of the filmhouse, over 30 movies have been premiered at the cinema in the past two years. Describing himself as someone who has strong passion for entertainment, Nice said, he ventured into the business because of the love of prompting our locally made movies. The cinema centre also houses his musical studio.

Speaking further, Nice said, while he was in Canada, it was difficult for him to secure a white collar job, with his certificate as a graduate of Accounting from UNN. To make ends meet, he decided to delved into the entertainment world which has paid him off. “ I am enjoying what I am doing today. This is what is putting food on m table, “ he enthused.

Apart from being a cinema house owner, Nice is also into movie production. Some of the films he has produced in recent times include, “The Canal” , “ The Sworn” and “ Ije Ego”, which is an Igbo language movie. Unlike in the recent past, Nice said Nigerians have realized the importance of going to the theatre to see blockbuster films. “ We are just beginning to gain recognition.”