Nigerian talent took centre stage at the 79th British Academy Film Awards held on Sunday at the Royal Festival Hall in London.
Actress Wunmi Mosaku and Nigerian-made film My Father’s Shadow emerged among the night’s winners.Mosaku clinched the Best Supporting Actress prize for her performance in the film Sinners, reinforcing her reputation as one of the most prominent African actors working across British and international productions.
Nigerian-British actress Wunmi Mosaku poses with the award for Best Supporting Actress in the film “Sinners” during the BAFTA British Academy Film Awards ceremony at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, in London, on February 22, 2026. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) The win marks another milestone in her BAFTA journey, having previously taken the same category in 2017 for Damilola, Our Loved Boy.
Also earning recognition was My Father’s Shadow, directed by Nigerian brothers Akinola Davies Jr. and Wale Davies.The film won Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer, highlighting the growing global visibility of Nigerian storytelling.
The drama, set in Lagos during the 1993 election crisis, follows a father and his two sons as they navigate the city amid political tension.
Since its release, the film has garnered international attention, including becoming the first Nigerian production selected for the official lineup at the Cannes Film Festival, where it premiered in the Un Certain Regard section to critical acclaim.
Ceremony Highlights Hosted by Alan Cumming, the ceremony celebrated the best films of 2025.The night’s biggest winner was One Battle After Another, which secured six awards including Best Film and Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson.Other major honours included Leading Actress for Jessie Buckley for Hamnet, and Leading Actor plus the EE Rising Star Award for Robert Aramayo for I Swear. Supporting Actor went to Sean Penn, while Sinners also won Original Screenplay for Ryan Coogler.The wins highlight the continued rise of Nigerian creatives on the global film stage, with both Mosaku’s acting success and the recognition for My Father’s Shadow reflecting the increasing international reach of stories rooted in Nigerian experiences.
