03/02/2026
Today, we shine a light on Akinola Davies Jr., a British-Nigerian filmmaker whose work is putting African storytelling on the world stage.
Davies first gained international acclaim with his short film Lizard, which won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival and earned a BAFTA nomination for Best British Short Film in 2021.
He made history with his feature debut, My Father’s Shadow, a deeply personal drama set in Lagos, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2025 and captured international attention for its powerful storytelling.
In 2026, Davies’ breakthrough reached new heights when he won the BAFTA Award for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer for My Father’s Shadow, a major milestone for a Nigerian filmmaker on the global cinema stage.
He also claimed Best Director at the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) for the same film, affirming his impact and creativity in film direction.
From award-winning short films to historic feature-film honours, Akinola Davies Jr. is a Nigerian that ROCKS.🎬🇳🇬🔥
Photo Credit: BAFTA