British-Nigerian filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr.made history at the 2026 BAFTA Awards in London by winning the Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director, or Producer for his film My Father’s Shadow.

This recognition follows the film’s landmark achievement as the first Nigerian movie ever selected for the Cannes Film Festival’s Official Selection in the Un Certain Regard category.

The night also celebrated British-Nigerian talent with Wunmi Mosaku winning Best Supporting Actress for her role as Annie in the supernatural thriller Sinners.

This marks her second BAFTA win, building on her 2021 TV award for Damilola, Our Loved Boy, and adding to her 2021 Leading Actress nomination for His House.

My Father’s Shadow is set during the 1993 Nigerian election crisis and follows a father, played by Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, taking his two sons, portrayed by real-life brothers Chibuike Marvellous Egbo and Godwin Egbo, on a transformative day trip through Lagos.

Davies Jr. insisted on shooting entirely on location in Lagos and Ibadan to authentically capture Nigerian life and energy.

This BAFTA recognition highlights Nigerian excellence on the global stage, affirming that filmmakers and actors from Nigeria are now central to contemporary international cinema.