Derek Ugochukwu | |
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![]() Derek Ugochukwu | |
Born | Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria |
Nationality | Nigerian |
Alma mater | Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology |
Occupations |
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Website | derekugochukwu |
Derek Ugochukwu // (born 7 June 1991) is a Nigerian director, writer, and actor. He studied at Dun Laoghaire Institute Of Art Design and Technology in Dublin and was named one of Screen International Rising Stars of Ireland.[1]
Ugochukwu was born in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State. He is the third of six children raised in an Igbo Catholic family. He graduated with a 1st class master's degree in Screenwriting for Film & Television at Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT).[2] He also holds a master's degree in international management and global business awarded by the University of Limerick in 2014, making him a double master's holder.
In May 2020, Screen Ireland announced Ugochukwu as one of the successful 15 writers selected from a pool of 195 applicants for its inaugural Spotlight development scheme aimed at fostering new and diverse writing talent.[3]
In January 2021, Ugochukwu was one of the successful 10 writers shortlisted from over 600 entries for the Virgin Media Discovers short film competition in partnership with Screen Ireland.[4][5] ENGINE Shorts which aims to inspire and support up-and-coming writers, directors and producers in Limerick, Tipperary and Clare, announced Ugochukwu as one of the six winning directors selected to create inspiring, engaging world-class short films that resonate with a wide international audience.[6][7]
To All My Darlings, a short film written by Ugochukwu, and starring Demi Isaac Oviawe, was shortlisted for the 2021 BAFTA Student Film Awards.[8] It also won the Audience Award for Best Short at the 2021 Dublin International Film Festival.[9] His directorial short film, You're Not Home, was nominated for an IFTA for Best Live-Action Short,[10] screening at various prestigious international film festivals including Sitges Film Festival[11] and SXSW.[12]
† | Denotes works that have not yet been released |
Year | Title | Director | Writer | Executive Producer | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | To All My Darlings | No | Yes | Yes | |
2022 | You're Not Home | Yes | Yes | No | |
2023 | Pediment | Yes | Yes | No | |
2024 | Nay Day † | Yes | Yes | No |
Year | Award | Category | Film | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | Dublin International Film Festival | Virgin Media Audience Award Shorts | To All My Darlings | Won | [13] |
Catalyst International Film Festival | Spirit of the Festival Award | Won | [14] | ||
British Academy of Film and Television Arts | Live Action Student Awards | Nominated | [15] | ||
2022 | Galway Film Fleadh | Bingham Ray New Talent Award | You're Not Home | Nominated | [16] |
SITGES Festival Internacional de Cinema Fantàstic de Catalunya | Brigadoon Paul Naschy Award | Nominated | [11] | ||
Richard Harris International Film Festival | Best Midwest Short Film | Nominated | [17] | ||
2023 | SXSW Film Festival | Grand Jury Award | Nominated | ||
Irish Film and Television Academy | Best Live-Action Short | Nominated | [10] | ||
2024 | Dublin International Film Festival | Discovery Award | Pediment | Nominated | |
Catalyst International Film Festival | Spirit of the Festival Award | Won |