Derek Ugochukwu
Derek Ugochukwu | |
|---|---|
 Derek Ugochukwu | |
| Born | Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Alma mater | Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology |
| Occupation(s) | Film director Screenwriter |
| Website | derekugochukwu |
Derek Ugochukwu // (born 7 June 1991) is a Nigerian film director and screenwriter. 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]
Early life and education
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.
Career
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]
Filmography
Short films
| 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 |
Awards and nominations
| 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 |
References
- ^ "Screen unveils inaugural Rising Stars Ireland line-up". www.screendaily.com. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
- ^ "Derek Ugochukwu | IADT". www.iadt.ie. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
- ^ Rosser, Michael (15 May 2020). "Screen Ireland reveals screenwriters selected for Spotlight initiative (exclusive)". Screendaily.
- ^ Slattery, Laura (13 January 2021). "Virgin Media backs 10 short films in €150,000 festival scheme". The Irish Times.
- ^ "Ten projects shortlisted for 2021 Virgin Media Discovers & Screen Ireland Short Film Competition". IFTN. 13 January 2021.
- ^ Lynch, Richard (16 March 2021). "Local Film Projects Shortlisted for ENGINE Short Film Scheme". ILoveLimerick.
- ^ Cantillon, Louise (22 July 2021). "Louise Loves: Lights, camera, action for Limerick Short Film winners!". Limerick Leader.
- ^ Wilkinson, Ruth (11 May 2021). "National Film School 'To All My Darlings' shortlisted for BAFTA". Institute of Art, Design + Technology.
- ^ Dunne, Luke (12 April 2021). "Talking To All My Darlings with Lia Campbell and Derek Ugochukwu". Film In Dublin.
- ^ a b "Irish Film, TV Nominations 2023: 'The Banshees of Inisherin,' 'Bad Sisters' Lead With Most Nods". Variety. 7 March 2023.
- ^ a b "SITGES Festival Brigadoon Section". SitgesFilmFestival. 9 October 2022.
- ^ "You're Not Home screens at SXSW 2023". SXSW. 11 January 2023.
- ^ "Minari scoops the 2021 Virgin Media Audience Award". DIFF. 19 March 2021.
- ^ "Awards winners for 2021 Catalyst International Film Festival announced". CatalystFilmFest. 23 March 2021.
- ^ "Shortlist announced for 2021 GSA BAFTA Student Awards". BAFTA Los Angeles. 11 May 2021.
- ^ "Bingham Ray New Talent Awards". GalwayFilmFleadh. 10 July 2022.
- ^ "Nominees Richard Harris International Film Festival announced". RichardHarrisFilmFestival. 31 October 2022.