Derek Ugochukwu (born 7 June 1991) is a Nigerian actor, writer and director. He studied at Dun Laoghaire Institute Of Art Design and Technology in Dublin.
Derek Ugochukwu | |
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![]() Derek Ugochukwu in 2017 | |
Born | Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria |
Nationality | Nigerian |
Alma mater | Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology |
Occupation |
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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).[1] 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.
His early work includes roles in multiple short films and in 2018, he landed the role of 'Father Okocha' in "Honest"[2][3] premiering at the 2018 Galway Film Fleadh. In the same year, he took part in Of Mice and Men as Crooks. He then made his feature film debut with "Dub Daze",[4][5] a modern Irish version of the 1993 comedy movie Dazed and confused, premiered at the Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival in 2019, subsequently landing the role of 'Abu Al Jabar' in 2020 Crime Drama Series Cold Courage[6] based on a book by Finnish author Pekka Hiltunen.
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.[7] 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.[8][9] ENGINE Shorts which aims to inspire and support up-and-coming writers, directors and producers in Limerick, Tipperary and Clare, announced Ugochukwu as part of the six winning teams selected to create inspiring, engaging world-class short films that resonate with a wide international audience.[10][11]
To All My Darlings, a short film written by Ugochukwu, and starring Demi Isaac Oviawe, was shortlisted for the 2021 BAFTA Student Film Awards.[12] It also won the Audience Award for Best Short at the 2021 Dublin International Film Festival.[13]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2018 | Honest | Father Okocha | Short film |
2019 | Nightflyers | Security Crew #1 | 3 episodes |
2019 | Dub Daze | Rob | |
2019 | Outnumbered | Crying man | Music Video for Dermot Kennedy |
2020 | Cold Courage | Abu Al Jabar | 3 episodes |
2022 | Water Under the Bridge | Bilal's father | Short film |
2022 | Surrender Your Horns | James | |
Year | Title | Role | Format |
---|---|---|---|
2018 | Of Mice and Men | Croocks | Mill Theater |
2017 | Owned | Olaudah Equiano | Smock Alley |
Year | Title | Director | Writer | Executive Producer | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | To All My Darlings | No | Yes | Yes | — | Short film |
2022 | You're Not Home | Yes | Yes | No | — | Short film |
Year | Award | Category | Film | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | Dublin International Film Festival | Virgin Media Audience Award Shorts | To All My Darlings | Won | [14] |
Catalyst International Film Festival | Spirit of the Festival Award | Won | [15] | ||
British Academy of Film and Television Arts | Live Action Student Awards | Nominated | [16] | ||
2022 | Galway Film Fleadh | Bingham Ray New Talent Award | You're Not Home | Nominated | [17] |
SITGES Festival Internacional de Cinema Fantàstic de Catalunya | Brigadoon Paul Naschy Award | Nominated | [18] | ||
Richard Harris International Film Festival | Best Midwest Short Film | Nominated | [19] | ||
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