Joel “Kachi” Benson is an Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker whose work revolves primarily around social impact storytelling. He uses both 2d and VR technology to tell stories across Nigeria and Africa, and is the first Nigerian filmmaker to use Virtual Reality technology for storytelling.
Kachi Benson’s 2018 VR film, In Bakassi, was Nigeria’s first-ever documentary produced with virtual reality technology, and in April 2019, his second VR film, Daughters of Chibok, won the Venice Lion for Best Immersive Story at the 76th Venice Film Festival, making him the first African to win the award in that category. He is also the first Nigerian filmmaker to earn Emmy nominations for documentary filmmaking, with his 2024 Disney Original documentary, MADU, which was nominated for Outstanding Arts & Culture Documentary, and Outstanding Directing – Documentary. His latest film, Mothers of Chibok, which he made in collaboration with Impact Partners, is currently touring the global film festival circuit. Kachi Benson is a firm believer in the use of storytelling as a catalyst for positive change, and regularly teaches and mentors young filmmakers. He has presented lectures at several fora, including The Pan Atlantic University, Lagos; American University, Yola; University of Lagos; Morgan State University’s School of Global Journalism and Communication; Oxford University, England; and The Biennale College Cinema’s Virtual Reality Program, in Venice Italy. He is on the list of the NAM Top 100 Most Influential Africans, and the MIPAD 2021 Most Influential Persons of African Descent.