Akinola Davies Jr. Wins Best Director at BIFA for My Father’s Shadow

Akinola Davies Jr. made a remarkable debut at the 28th British Independent Film Awards, taking home Best Director for his first feature, My Father’s Shadow. The Nigeria-set drama dominated the nominations going into the night, leading the pack with 12 nods, including Best British Independent Film and Best Screenplay for his brother and co-writer, Wale Davies. Even without sweeping the awards, its presence at BIFA was one of the ceremony’s biggest stories.

My Father’s Shadow is a UK, Ireland, and Nigeria co-production that follows two young brothers spending a single day with their estranged father in Lagos in 1993. The reunion unfolds against the tension of Nigeria’s presidential election, giving the film a vivid emotional and historical backdrop. The story resonated globally after its premiere at Cannes, where it received a Caméra d’Or Special Mention, and it has since been selected as the UK’s official submission for the 2026 Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category.

Though it led the nomination table, My Father’s Shadow didn’t finish among the films with multiple wins, a list topped by Pillion and Warfare with four awards each, followed by A Want in Her and The Ballad of Wallis Island with three. Still, Davies’ Best Director win stands out as one of the night’s defining moments, marking a strong arrival for a filmmaker whose voice is already shaping conversations across the UK, Nigeria, and the global festival circuit.

Films that received multiple awards

Pillion (4)

Warfare (4)

A Want in Her (3)

The Ballad of Wallis Island (3)

Die My Love (2)

I Swear (2)

With twelve nominations covering everything from cinematography and editing to music, production design, and screenplay, My Father’s Shadow has proven itself not just a standout debut, but a major creative achievement. Davies’ win signals that his career is one to watch, and the film’s momentum heading into awards season continues to build.

My Father’s Shadow nominated categories at the 28th British Independent Film Awards (BIFA)

1. Best Debut Screenwriter

2. Douglas Hickox Award (Best Debut Director)

3. Best Sound

4. Best Production Design

5. Best Original Music

6. Best Make-Up & Hair Design

7. Best Editing

8. Best Costume Design

9. Best Cinematography

10. Best Screenplay

11. Best Director

12. Best British Independent Film

The top three movies with most nominations

12 nominations for My Father's Shadow

10 nominations for Pillion

9 nominations for I Swear