LONDON, U.K.—Nigerian-British filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr. has cemented his status as a leading voice in world cinema, winning the coveted Best Director award at the 28th British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) for his stunning debut feature, My Father’s Shadow.
The Lagos-set drama, co-written with his brother Wale Davies, led this year’s nominations with an unprecedented 12 nods, making it the most recognized film of the ceremony held at the Roundhouse in London on Sunday. The victory underscores the film’s critical resonance as it continues its historic run as the U.K.’s official submission for the Best International Feature category at the upcoming Academy Awards.
A Sweep of Nominations and Global Acclaim
While the top prize went elsewhere, My Father’s Shadow dominated the creative categories, with Davies Jr.’s Best Director win highlighting the film’s masterful craftsmanship and narrative control. The film earned nominations across a full spectrum of technical and creative disciplines, including Best British Independent Film, Best Screenplay, and the Douglas Hickox Award for Best Debut Director.
The BIFA success is the latest accolade in a remarkable journey for the project, which made history earlier this year by premiering at the Cannes Film Festival in the prestigious Un Certain Regard section—the first Nigerian film ever selected for the official Cannes lineup—where it earned a Special Mention for the Caméra d’Or. Adding to the team’s triumph, lead actor Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù recently secured the Outstanding Lead Performance award at the Gotham Awards, validating the powerful acting at the heart of the drama.
The Lagos Story: Family, Identity, and Political Turmoil
My Father’s Shadow is an intimate, politically charged drama set against one of the most pivotal moments in Nigeria’s modern history: June 23, 1993, the day following the infamous annulment of the June 12 presidential election.
The film follows two young brothers as they embark on an unexpected journey through the chaos of the city with their estranged father (portrayed by Dìrísù). What begins as a simple errand to collect a long-overdue paycheck becomes a transformative, near-spiritual odyssey, exploring themes of paternal distance, masculinity, and the deep emotional anxiety of a nation suspended between the hope of democracy and the reality of betrayal.
Davies Jr., whose semi-autobiographical project expanded from a short concept written by his brother and producer Wale Davies, has been praised for capturing the sensory intensity of Lagos while maintaining the lyrical sensitivity of a personal family memoir.
Director’s Dedication to the Diaspora
Celebrating his win, Davies Jr. shared photos with his BIFA statuette, dedicating the honor to the dual homes that inspire his work and the diaspora that informs his perspective:
“4 London, 4 Lagos, 4 every diasporan kid & 4 all the cast & crew of My Fathers Shadow.”
The director’s powerful dedication underscores the film’s successful mission: to tell deeply personal, culturally specific African stories with a universal resonance that commands attention on the world’s most competitive cinematic stages.
