Adze Ugah’s foray into the film making began after obtaining a Diploma in Motion Picture Production at the National Film Institute, Jos, Nigeria and then an Honours degree in Motion Picture Medium from AFDA, in Johannesburg, South Africa.

He has directed several television drama series for both the SABC and DSTV cable TV platforms over the past 11 years, with directing credits on dramas such as Zone 14, Isibaya, Jacob’s Cross, Society, Skwizas, Room 9, My perfect Family, Tshisa III, Mfolozi Street, to mention a few.

In 2010 his documentary feature, The Burning Man, was awarded 4 Golden horn awards under the auspices of the SAFTAS.

His first feature film GoG Helen, premiered at the DIFF in 2013. In 2014 and 2015, Adze Ugah was awarded the Golden Horn at the SAFTAS once again for Best Director for his work on the Mzanzi Magic daily drama, Isibaya, produced by the Bomb Shelter Film and Television Company. Mrs Right Guy, a romantic comedy he directed, under the NFVF slate films, was the second highest grossing local South African film in the cinemas in the year 2016.

In 2017, Adze Ugah directed Ten Days In Sun City, a feature film co production endeavour on behalf of S.A. Tourism targeted towards marketing and promoting South African tourist destinations to the West African region. The film was one of the highest grossing films in the West African region in 2017. Looking for love, yet another feature film directed by Adze Ugah, was released in 2018 to rousing critical acclaim. Rage of a lioness, an action thriller, is his most recent film, with a sequel currently in development.

Adze Ugah has served in various film training and skill transfer capacities such as the NFVF’s Youth Film Makers project, as a Directing Mentor. As well as a mentor for the DIFF talent campus. He has been a visiting lecturer at WITS drama school, TUT Film/drama department, UJ film faculty and the South African school of Motion Picture Medium and Live performance.

Adze Ugah has also served in various adjudicating capacities such as The WGSA MUSE awards for the Writers Guild of South Africa, the Africa Magic viewers choice awards for Mnet and the Baka Forum Documentary film festival in Karlsruhe, Germany.