Brighton graduate Akinola Davies Jr wins BAFTA for debut feature My Father’s Shadow

The award, presented by BAFTA, recognises the best first feature by a British writer, director, or producer, and Akinola shares the honour with his brother and co-writer Wale Davies.

In his BAFTA acceptance speech, Akinola said: “To the economic migrant, the conflict migrant, those under occupation, dictatorship, persecution and those experiencing genocide, you matter and your stories matter more than ever. Your dreams are an act of resistance. To those watching at home, archive your loved ones, archive your stories yesterday, today and forever.”

The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, making history as the first Nigerian production selected for the festival’s official lineup. Set against the backdrop of Nigeria’s historic 1993 presidential election, the semi-autobiographical drama follows two young brothers spending a rare day with their absent father, exploring themes of family, masculinity, memory, and belonging through the lens of childhood.

Akinola studied English Language with Media Studies at the University of Brighton - graduating in 2007 - where he credits his time for helping to shape his creative perspective. In an interview with BBC South East, he said: “Brighton gave me an opportunity to see how big and beautiful the world is.”

After leaving Brighton, Akinola trained at the New York Film Academy and began a career directing music videos and commercials for global brands including Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Kenzo, and Mulberry. His 2020 short film, Lizard, inspired by his childhood in Nigeria, won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival and was nominated for Best British Short Film at the BAFTAs.

Now 40, Akinola continues to create work that explores family, identity, and culture. He recently presented his film series Rituals: Unionblack at Somerset House, accompanied by live performances from Sampha, Moses Boyd, and others.

Akinola’s BAFTA win is a milestone in his career and a proud moment for the University of Brighton community, reflecting the early creative foundations he developed while a student here. It’s a reminder of the diverse paths graduates can take and the international impact of their work.