Stanlee Ohikhuare

Stanlee Ohikhuare is an Artistic Filmmaker. He is a trained Fine Artist and Philosophical Surrealist. A graduate of the University of Benin from where he obtained a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts specializing in painting, he also has a National Diploma in General Arts from Yaba College of Technology, Lagos. He is an extraordinary Painter, Sculptor, Graphic Artist, Illustrator, and Animator. He practices the Baroque Art movement and often experiments with the themes of Chiaroscuro and sfumato in his film works. Stanlee is a self - taught 3D animator, Graphic Artist, Video Editor, Visual effects creator and Stunts Director. He is a surrealist and his works exude audacious fantasy with a measurable degree of artistic juxtaposition. He draws immense inspiration from the world of dreams and fantasy. He has often been referred to as an "Auteur" because of his unique approach to film making in which he exudes a peculiar signature in style and technicality that is immediately noticeable in all his productions; irrespective of the genre. He is a photography enthusiast and an ardent lover of great cinematography. Stanlee communicates with images. He is one of the few Nigerian filmmakers who have championed Visual Storytelling; favoring strong, compelling visuals and innovative Cinematography over excessive dialogue. As a Director, he loves being behind the camera to ensure that there is visual fidelity in his productions. One thing everyone who follows Stanlee's works enjoys the most about his movies is the attention to detail. Stanlee has a way of blowing up the often "unnoticeable" elements in scenes as part of his signature visual storytelling.

Stanlee's entrance into the mainstream filmmaking circles started with him working as a graphic artist in an advertising agency. He later proceeded to free-lancing with more agencies as an illustrator/storyboard artist. Much later, after teaching himself 3d animation, he began to provide 3d animation solutions to practically all the advertising agencies in Nigeria. It was from there that he studied the works of great filmmakers, and ventured into photography as a stepping stone to his career as a cinematographer. He then retired completely from advertising and embarked on what was Nigeria's first feature-length 3d animation project - "Lifespan". It was in the process of making lifespan between 2003 and 2006 that Stanlee eventually perfected his directing philosophy which he still operates by today. Stanlee eventually faced live-action filmmaking squarely from 2007/2008, practicing and perfecting his film art at his own pace. Today, Stanlee has successfully created a blend of motion picture and fine art, hewn together by a deep-seated surreal philosophy that shines forth in all his productions. For this reason, Stanlee is well respected for his inspiring lighting design and cinematography - both remarkably distinguishable, because of his background as a trained fine artist. His admirers call him the "Light Bender" Stanlee's creative expression vastly explores the world of dreams and fantasy, thrillers, and horror. His approach to filmmaking is unapologetically artistic. His films always have social advocacy in ample consideration, and he deals effortlessly with subjects of pain, conscience, suffering, shock, "the controversial" and "the inexplicable" Stanlee is a Creative Entrepreneur and Consultant. He is also an inventor and convener of a number of laudable industry events - especially the Realtime International Film Festival (RTF) which he activates annually as the Artistic Director.