Derek Ugochukwu is an IFTA-nominated writer/director named one of the Screen International Rising Stars of Ireland.

 

He graduated with a first-class master’s degree in Screenwriting for Film & TV from the National Film School where his written short film, To All My Darlings, was shortlisted for the 2021 BAFTA Student Awards. It also won the Audience Award for best short film at the 2021 Dublin International Film Festival and received the Spirit of the Festival Awards at Catalyst International Film Festival.

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His directorial short, You’re Not Home, funded by Film in Limerick ENGINE Scheme, premiered at the 34th Galway Film Fleadh with a nomination for the Bingham Ray New Talent Award. It was also nominated for an IFTA for Best Live-Action Short, screening at several prestigious Oscar and BAFTA qualifying festivals including Sitges, SXSW, Encounters, and Foyle, among many others. 

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In 2023, Derek directed his second short, Pediment, initially shortlisted for the annual Virgin Media Discovery Competition and subsequently awarded funding by Screen Ireland as part of the FOCUS scheme. Produced by Harp Media Films, Pediment won the Best Short Screenplay Award at the 3rd Catalyst International Film Festival and premiered at the 35th Galway Film Festival.

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Nay Day, his recent short, received funding from the DLR Frames Scheme and was produced by Samson Films set to commence its festival run in the year 2024. 

 

Derek is currently developing two feature scripts with Screen Ireland and is represented by United Agents in the UK.