Uchenna Ugwu is a 23-year-old aspiring writer whose dream is to become an award-winning script writer, novelist and producer.
Born in Ibadan, Oyo State in Nigeria, what gets Uchenna fired up about Africa’s creative film and television industry is the fact that there are numerous creatives with much to offer and are working to make the industry better than it was through their contributions.
“The future of film and television in Africa is bright. We have come a long way from where we were just a few short years ago, and we can only keep making progress,” says Uchenna. “Our films have started to appear in international festivals, something that was almost impossible a few years ago and that’s a big deal.”
Uchenna’s favourite films includeOvy’s Voice, New Money, Beasts of No Nationand The Bridges of Madison County. Some of her favourite TV shows are Shuga Naija, Jenifa’s diary, Ajoche on African Magic Showcase and 1000 Ways to Die.
Her favourite actors and actresses include Nigerian actresses Joke Silva, Lotachukwu Ugwu, Adesuwa Etomi and Mary Njoku, as well as Nigerian actor Ray Emodi and British-Nigerian actor Idris Elba. Uchenna is also passionate about books and writing.
If she could create a TV show, it would be a period drama or set in the 1950s or 1960s, with a supernatural theme. Uchenna is a fan of stories that are set in older times, and have a “back in the day” feel to them.
Uchenna hopes to complete the MultiChoice Talent Factory Academy programme as a better writer, as well as to have a stronger understanding of production within the industry.