Imat Akelo-Opio

Melbourne Australia

Imat Akelo-Opio

Melbourne Australia

I am an actor having trained at Yale University as part of the Yale School of Drama Summer Session and in New York City at HB Studio under the full-time Drama Conservatory Program. I have worked in predominantly in theatre where I have performed off Broadway in the USA, Australia and the South Pacific in both mainstream and fringe theatre. My most recent and notable credits in theatre include award writer Neil Cole’s Nina Simone Black Diva Power which currently toured Australia (Adelaide Cabaret Festival,2014). Along with performances at the Malthouse Theatre; Death and the Kings Horseman by Nobel Prize Winner Wole Soyinka and Chrysalis by Dina Ross a British-Australian playwright performed and also during the BigWest Festival with Metanoia Theatre in the Australian Premiere of Lucy Kirkwood’s “It Felt Empty When The Heart Went At First But It’s Alright Now”. Severally I have also has had a major television credit to date on the SBS series Newstopia. I also have featured as a voice over artist for the New York film Luggage that was screened at Cannes Film Festival. My most notable credit in Independent film; stems from having written, co-directed and produced my first short film titled “Covering” that was selected and screened in February 2013 as part of the Whitenight International film and arts festival (WhiteNightMelbourne). Most recently I was named in AfroElle Magazine 2013- Most Influential Women list for leaders and changers globally in the African Diaspora due to my role as Founder of the Non-profit Otino-international.org that is a mobile medical non profit serving Innocents (a term coined by myself as meaning vulnerables) in post conflict Northern Uganda. Otino-International's first campaign is Immunization for Life, which has been the most rewarding life journey that I have embarked upon. Further to this I am also the founder and director of Africa Fashion Week Melbourne. That promotes the fierceness and stellar designs of African and African Inspired designers in Australia. Helping to also foster cultural relations. I also am the radio host of Global Woman Forward (GWF) on the CNE Media Network in Los Angeles. GWF honours women globally who are using their giftings to give back to their communities. My love for life comes from having grown up around the world and having an appreciation for the beauty that is in culture coupled with incessant passion for knowledge.