The announcement of the 2026 British Academy Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) nominations has generated significant buzz, with familiar Hollywood names dominating the headlines. However, a compelling Nigerian narrative has emerged as a potential game-changer in this prestigious awards season.
A Nigerian Voice in British Cinema
Among the notable nominees are British-born brothers Akinola Davies Jr. and Wale Davies, whose film My Father's Shadow has been nominated for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer. While their birthplace qualifies them for this British category, the film itself is profoundly Nigerian in its essence.
Shot entirely in Lagos and Ibadan, featuring dialogue primarily in Yoruba and Nigerian Pidgin, and anchored in the political turmoil of Nigeria's 1993 election crisis, My Father's Shadow proudly asserts its cultural origins. The film previously made history as the first Nigerian production selected for Cannes' Official Selection, where it earned a Special Mention for the Caméra d'Or award.
The Creative Journey of the Davies Brothers
The Outstanding Debut category has traditionally served as a launchpad for filmmakers navigating multiple cultural identities, and the Davies brothers represent its most intriguing entry this year. Akinola Davies Jr. makes his feature-length directorial debut with this project, while Wale Davies contributes as co-writer and producer, marking his third film venture.
Nigerian audiences may recognize Wale Davies as Tec from the popular rap duo Show Dem Camp. His transition into filmmaking represents not a departure from music but rather an expansion of his creative portfolio. Before pursuing music, Davies received financial training in Europe, ultimately abandoning that conventional path to embrace creative risks through various artistic mediums.
My Father's Shadow tells the poignant story of two young brothers who unexpectedly reunite with their father, Folarin, spending a tense day navigating Lagos together. What begins as a simple family outing gradually unfolds against a backdrop of economic hardship, military presence, and a city preparing for political uncertainty. Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, acclaimed for his role in Gangs of London, delivers a restrained yet urgent performance as a father bearing both personal and national burdens.
The Oscar Connection and Broader Implications
In 2025, the United Kingdom selected My Father's Shadow as its official entry for Best International Feature Film at the Academy Awards. Although the film did not ultimately secure an Oscar nomination, this decision carried significant symbolic weight.
The British selection committee's endorsement of a Yoruba-language film set entirely in Nigeria demonstrated confidence in the universal appeal of Nigerian stories. This choice also challenged conventional notions of what constitutes "British" cinema on the global stage. While the Davies brothers operate within British institutional frameworks, the narrative they present remains unmistakably Nigerian in its perspective and authenticity.
Other Notable Contenders in the 2026 BAFTA Race
The awards season continues to showcase several strong performers across multiple categories. Sinners maintains its impressive run with four BAFTA nominations, including recognition in both leading actor and supporting actress categories. Marty Supreme has also demonstrated considerable strength with multiple nominations, solidifying its position as a major contender this year. Similarly, One Battle After Another has received substantial recognition.
All three titles have already garnered significant attention at the Oscars, indicating a notable consensus among major awards bodies regarding this year's standout productions.
Complete List of 2026 BAFTA Nominees
Best Film
- Hamnet
- Marty Supreme
- One Battle After Another
- Sentimental Value
- Sinners
Outstanding British Film
- 28 Years Later
- The Ballad of Wallis Island
- Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy
- Die My Love
- H is for Hawk
- Hamnet
- I Swear
- Mr Burton
- Pillion
- Steve
Director
- Yorgos Lanthimos: Bugonia
- Chloé Zhao: Hamnet
- Josh Safdie: Marty Supreme
- Paul Thomas Anderson: One Battle After Another
- Joachim Trier: Sentimental Value
- Ryan Coogler: Sinners
Leading Actor
- Robert Aramayo: I Swear
- Timothee Chalamet: Marty Supreme
- Leonardo DiCaprio: One Battle After Another
- Ethan Hawke: Blue Moon
- Michael B. Jordan: Sinners
- Jesse Plemons: Bugonia
Leading Actress
- Jessie Buckley: Hamnet
- Rose Byrne: If I Had Legs I'd Kick You
- Kate Hudson: Song Sung Blue
- Chase Infiniti: One Battle After Another
- Renate Reinsve: Sentimental Value
- Emma Stone: Bugonia
Supporting Actor
- Benicio Del Toro: One Battle After Another
- Jacob Elordi: Frankenstein
- Paul Mescal: Hamnet
- Peter Mullan: I Swear
- Sean Penn: One Battle After Another
- Stellan Skarsgard: Sentimental Value
Supporting Actress
- Odessa A'zion: Marty Supreme
- Inga Ibsdotter Lilleas: Sentimental Value
- Wunmi Mosaku: Sinners
- Carey Mulligan: The Ballad of Wallis Island
- Teyana Taylor: One Battle After Another
- Emily Watson: Hamnet
Special Visual Effects
- Avatar: Fire and Ash
- F1
- Frankenstein
- How to Train Your Dragon
- The Lost Bus
Costume Design
- Frankenstein
- Hamnet
- Marty Supreme
- Sinners
- Wicked: For Good
Film Not in The English Language
- It Was Just An Accident
- The Secret Agent
- Sentimental Value
- Sirat
- The Voice of Hind Rajab
Children's & Family Film
- Arco
- Boong
- Lilo & Stitch
- Zootropolis 2
Original Screenplay
- I Swear
- Marty Supreme
- The Secret Agent
- Sentimental Value
- Sinners
Adapted Screenplay
- The Ballad of Wallis Island
- Bugonia
- Hamnet
- One Battle After Another
- Pillion
Outstanding Debut (By a British Writer, Director, or Producer)
- Jack King, Hollie Bryan, Lucy Meer: The Ceremony
- Akinola Davies Jr., Wale Davies: My Father's Shadow
- Harry Lighton: Pillion
- Myrid Carten: A Want in Her
- Cal McMau, Hunter Andrews, Eoin Doran: Wasteman
Awards Ceremony Details
The 79th British Academy Film Awards will take place on February 22, 2026, at London's Royal Festival Hall. This year's ceremony will mark the first time Alan Cumming assumes hosting duties, adding another layer of anticipation to an already exciting event.
As the awards season progresses, all eyes will be on whether My Father's Shadow can secure a historic victory for Nigerian storytelling at one of the world's most prestigious film ceremonies.
