James Ongige

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James Ongige is a Kenyan filmmaker, musician, actor, and record producer. He is the founder of Lohkast, a multidisciplinary creative collective comprising Lohkast Pictures, Lohkast Records, and Lohkast Audio.

Ongige was born on September 4, 2003, in Nairobi, Kenya, to Gladys Moraa, a businesswoman, and Willy Ongige, a musician. Raised Catholic, he grew up in Kangemi, Nairobi, and attended New Kihumbuini Primary School, Nduru Boys' High School, and later enrolled at the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication to study film and pursue a career as a film director.

Ongige began his music career under the stage name Quafff, releasing his debut single Outta 23 in 2019. In 2025, he made the decision to rebrand and begin performing under his birth name, embracing a more personal and authentic artistic identity.

In 2021, he founded The Tragic Studio, a creative outfit focused on music and music video production, which he operated until 2025. That same year, on June 15, he dissolved the studio and launched Lohkast, a multidisciplinary creative collective.

While studying at the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication, Ongige made his filmmaking debut in 2024 with the horror short film I Know Whatcha Did. In 2025, he wrote and directed the thriller-crime film The Holy Requiem. The same year, he wrote and directed the mockumentary Behind the Behind the Scenes, which, along with the drama short Life’s a Blank Page and the documentaries Harambee: The Weight of Division and Weekend in Hell, was selected for the LIFT‑OFF Global Network Awards (2026). In 2026, he wrote and directed the psychological thriller short film No Exit.

James Ongige
22 yearsNairobi (KE)
Gendermale
Year of birth2003 (22 years)
Acting age16-26 years
Place of birthNairobi, Kenya
NationalityKenyan
Main professionActor
Working permitsKenya
Housing optionsNairobi West (KE)
SpecializationsSinger
Eye colorbrown
Hair colorblack
Height (cm)168
LanguagesEnglish(native)Swahili(native)
DialectsAfrican English(native dialect)Standard American English(native dialect)
AccentsEnglishAfrican
InstrumentsTrumpet
SportCricket
DanceAfro danceHip hop
PitchAlto, Baritone, Bass
SingingHip HopRapChoirPopSoul/RnB
Special skillsComposingSinger-songwriterStudio musician
Training

While studying at the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication, Ongige made his filmmaking debut in 2024 with the horror short film I Know Whatcha Did. In 2025, he wrote and directed the thriller-crime film The Holy Requiem. The same year, he wrote and directed the mockumentary Behind the Behind the Scenes, which, along with the drama short Life’s a Blank Page and the documentaries Harambee: The Weight of Division and Weekend in Hell, was selected for the LIFT‑OFF Global Network Awards (2026). In 2026, he wrote and directed the psychological thriller short film No Exit.

Awards
2025
Behind the Behind the Scenes (Feature film)
2024
I know Whatcha Did (Short film)
Film
2025
Harambee: The Weight of Division (2025) picture © Lohkast Pictures
Harambee: The Weight of Division (2025) In development
James Ongige (OTH)
James Ongige James Ongige Lohkast Pictures James Ongige
2025
Weekend in Hell picture © Lohkast Pictures
Weekend in Hell (Documentary) In development
James Ongige James Ongige Lohkast Pictures James Ongige
2026
No Exit picture © Lohkast Pictures
No Exit (Experimental film)
Writer, Director, Producer (OTH)
James Ongige James Ongige Lohkast Pictures Brian Samuel James Ongige
2025
I know Whatcha Did picture © Lohkast Pictures
I know Whatcha Did (Short film)
Uknown Figure (SUP)
James Ongige James Ongige, Lavender Mmbone Lohkast Pictures Rose Mbogo James Ongige
2025
Behind the Behind the Scenes picture © Lohkast Pictures
Behind the Behind the Scenes (Feature film)
The Director (LR)
James Ongige James Ongige, Seth Kiroso, Michelle Wanjiru, Brian Samuel Lohkast Pictures Michelle Wanjiru James Ongige
2025
Life's A Blank Page picture © Lohkast Pictures
Life's A Blank Page (Drama)
The Suitor (SUP)
James Ongige James Ongige, Seth Kiroso, Michelle Wanjiru, Brian Samuel Lohkast Pictures Michelle Wanjiru James Ongige
2025
The Holy Requiem (2025) picture © Lohkast Pictures
The Holy Requiem (2025) (Feature film)
Forensics Guy (SUP)
James Ongige James Ongige Lohkast Pictures Brian Hawi James Ongige
2024
Pots and Pans (2024) picture © Lohkast Pictures
Pots and Pans (2024) (Short film)
Liam Neeson (LR)
James Ongige James Ongige Lohkast Pictures Dennis Thuo James Ongige