Chisom Chieke: Telling Diasporic Stories with Heart

Chisom Chieke is a Philly-based filmmaker and storyteller, uses her work to explore love, identity, and growth within diasporic communities. A second-generation Nigerian-American, she’s all about creating narratives that feel real, raw, and full of heart. A Carnegie Mellon graduate, Chieke finds inspiration in creating art, nature, and, most of all, being in community.

Her work is already making waves—she was a 2nd Rounder for Sundance’s TV Development Track, official selection for the 2023 Stowe Story Narrative Labs, a 2024 SuperSpecial Fantasy Writers’ Fellow, and a 2025 BlackStar Director’s Lab Fellow. Now, she’s gearing up for the premiere of her latest project, African | American, a romantic comedy following Adanma Eze and her boyfriend, Trey Williams, as they try to balance love, family, and personal ambitions. The film unpacks the unique yet parallel experiences of the global Black diaspora, digging into the differences, shared struggles, and everything in between. It’s set to debut at the BlackStar Film Festival this summer as part of the Philadelphia Filmmaker Lab.

For Chisom, filmmaking isn’t just about telling her own stories—it’s about uplifting her community. "I want people to know that I’m a community person first and foremost. My work is inspired by the people around me—my family, my friends, my collaborators. The best stories come from shared voices, and I want to create spaces where we can all thrive together."

Her Igbo-American background is a huge part of her storytelling. "Lately, I’ve been diving deeper into my roots—learning more about my culture as an adult and seeing how it shapes my spirit, my work, and the people I connect with. Identity is complicated, but I know who I am: Nigerian-American, Igbo-American, Black, a woman, cisgender—all of these things shape how I move through the world and what I put out."

Beyond personal identity, Chisom is dedicated to changing the landscape of the film industry. "For too long, the industry has been dominated by a narrow set of voices. I want to disrupt that and make space for stories that reflect the full range of Black and African diasporic experiences. We deserve to see ourselves in all our complexity."

Philly has been a game-changer for Chisom’s creative journey. "There’s something about this city—it gives you this kind of wild, free energy, like, ‘Do your thing and figure it out.’ The filmmaking community here is incredibly down-to-earth and hardworking. People genuinely want to help each other."

The city’s rich history and thriving independent art scene have helped her develop a filmmaking style rooted in authenticity and resourcefulness. "Philly has this hustle mentality. You learn to create with what you have, and that energy has definitely shaped how I approach storytelling. It’s all about collaboration, ingenuity, and making every project matter."

Chisom’s path to filmmaking wasn’t exactly traditional. "I’ve always been a storyteller—writing, making little short films on VHS as a kid. But I ended up studying engineering at Carnegie Mellon because, you know, stability. After graduating, my mom actually wrote a treatment for a feature film about diasporic relationships. I took that concept, expanded it, and started developing my own stories."

Her deep dive into filmmaking came through mentorship and community. "I started making shorts, got into mentorship programs, and really built relationships within the film world. When I applied for BlackStar’s Filmmakers Lab and got in, it was a moment of real validation—like, ‘Okay, this is where I’m supposed to be.’"

For Chisom, storytelling isn’t just about entertainment—it’s about connection. "We need stories right now. We need to feel seen, to be challenged, to be inspired. I’m just honored to be part of that work."

She’s got big plans for the future, including expanding African | American into a feature film and developing new projects that center themes of heritage, identity, and transformation. "At the end of the day, I just want to tell stories that make people feel understood. That’s the goal." With African | American set to premiere at BlackStar Film Festival, audiences will get to experience her unique perspective firsthand.

Her advice to aspiring filmmakers? "Find your people, trust your voice, and just keep pushing. The journey isn’t easy, but if you love it, it’s worth it.”