Pascal Atuma's Biography

Actor | Screenwriter | Director | Producer | Comedian

Pascal is a quintuple threat as a comedian, Hollywood/Nollywood USA actor, screenwriter, film producer and film director added to his credits. As a director, he’s helmed most of his seven movie productions – “The Trace” (coming soon), “Who Is the Man?” “Okoto the Messenger,” “My American Nurse” and its sequel, “My American Nurse 2.” 

His breakout directorial debut, “My American Nurse,” premiered in the United States at the 2006 Pan African Film Festival. As an actor, he has starred in several of his productions, as well as other projects including “Through the Glass,” “The Other Side of Love,” “Faithfulness” and "Secret Past." Pascal Atuma is well respected in the Nigerian “Nollywood” Industry as a visionary who is working relentlessly to bridge the gap and dichotomy between Nollywood and Hollywood. He has worked with notable Hollywood/Nollywood actors such as Aloma Wright, Tangi Miller, Michael Blackson, Hakeem Kae Kazim, Ramsey Nouah, Jim Iyke, Tanjareen Martin, Karri Turner, Ini Edo, Stephanie Okereke, Tonto Dike, etc.

Born in Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria to a loving family of seven children, Pascal attended Government College Umuahia and the University of Port Harcourt. He later moved to the United States of America in 1995, tried his hand in civil engineering before switching gears and finally pursuing his calling - filmmaking. In 2002, he graduated from the Kim Dawson Acting College in Dallas, Texas and dabbled in live theatre before relocating to Hollywood, California. With the help of fellow Nigerian writer, producer, director Michael Ajakwe Jr., Pascal made a successful transition into Los Angeles’ highly competitive world of entertainment. Under the tutelage of his mentors Michael Ajakwe Jr., and his godfather in the business, Ayuko Babu, founder and executive director of the Pan African Film Festival, Pascal has blossomed into a creative and talented professional. He is a very spiritual man whose strong Christian beliefs and background play a major part in his life and career.

With each of his projects, Pascal makes the rounds on the film-festival circuit. Five of his films have been official selections of the Pan African Film Festival and four in Black Harvest International Festival of Film and Video. In 2007, Hurricane in the Rose Garden received an honorable mention in the Pan African Film Festival. “My American Nurse 2,” was released into the North American market (USA and Canada) in 2010 and quickly became a top selling African movie in the States and Canada. “Only in America” and “Hurricane in the Rose Garden” were released worldwide by Maverick Entertainment. His products are in Walmart, Redbox, Blockbuster, Netflix, BestBuy, Amazon etc.

One to watch, Pascal has been recognized as one of the “10 Most Wanted Filmmakers in Africa” by Ladybrille Magazine. He hopes to make sure that “no talent is left behind in Africa.”

Awards:

In 2011, his movie “My American Nurse 2” won “The Best African Movie of the Year “ at the NPA Entertainment Awards and he was recognized as “The Best African Comedic Actor of 2011” at the Afro Australian Music and Movie Awards” in Sydney, Australia. He received multiple nominations in 2012 from the Nigerian Promoters Association’s (NPA) Entertainment Awards for “Best Movie Director of the Year,” “Best Movie Producer of the Year,” as well as “Best Comedian of the Year,” and his film, “Okoto the Messenger” received a nod for “Best Movie of the Year.” He was awarded “Best Actor of the Year.” In addition, he received two “Best Actor” nominations from the Nigerian Entertainment Awards (NEA) for his performance in “Who Is the Man?” and the Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards (GIAMA) for his work in “Secret Past.” Pascal also received GIAMA nominations for “Best Film – Diaspora,” and “Best Film Director - Diaspora,” while winning the Viewer’s Choice award for “Best Male Act - Diaspora.”