Akinola Davies Jr. and Nigerian rapper Tec, one half of rap duo Show Dem Camp, secured a major milestone last night as My Father’s Shadow took home the award for Outstanding Debut by a British Filmmaker at the 2026 British Academy Film Awards.

The visibility of diasporic African storytelling within the global film landscape has been central to the goal of archiving the stories of migration, memory, and generational identity. The intimate direction and emotional restraint that My Father’s Shadow has been recognised for — particularly its nuanced exploration of family, memory, and identity — ultimately earned the film the award.

For Davies Jr., whose background spans visual storytelling across film, photography, and commercial work, the award signals that the personal, culturally specific narratives he gravitates toward are not only resonant but necessary within contemporary cinema.

As My Father’s Shadow continues its run across UK, US, and Canadian cinemas, the BAFTA win expands its reach while positioning Davies Jr. — alongside collaborators like Tec — as key figures in shaping how African and diasporic stories are documented, preserved, and experienced on screen.