On Sunday evening at the 79th British Academy Film Awards in London, Nigerian creatives were in the spotlight as British-Nigerian actress Wunmi Mosaku and filmmakers Akinola Davies Jr. and Wale Davies secured major wins at the prestigious ceremony.
The ceremony, held at London’s Royal Festival Hall and hosted by Alan Cumming, celebrated the best in 2025 cinema with a mix of international and British winners.
Wunmi Mosaku clinched the Best Supporting Actress award for her powerful performance as Annie in Sinners, the acclaimed film directed by Ryan Coogler.
The win reinforces her reputation as one of the most prominent African actors in both British and international film.
Mosaku has now added another BAFTA to her career accolades, having previously won in the same category in 2017 for Damilola, Our Loved Boy, making this a significant moment in her ongoing journey.
Another big win for Nigerian cinema came as My Father’s Shadow, directed by Akinola Davies Jr. and co-written with his brother Wale Davies, took home the Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer award.
The drama, set in Lagos during the country’s 1993 election crisis, follows a family navigating political uncertainty and explores themes of memory, identity, and belonging.
Its recognition at the BAFTAs highlights the growing visibility of Nigerian storytelling on the world stage.
The film has also had success on the festival circuit, including being the first Nigerian production selected for the official lineup at the Cannes Film Festival.
