Nigerians 2026 BAFTA Awards success as Wunmi Mosaku wins Best Supporting Actress and My Father’s Shadow claims Outstanding Debut

Nigerian actress Wunmi Mosaku and the Nigerian-made film My Father’s Shadow recorded triumphant victories at the BAFTA Film Awards in London, United Kingdom, on Sunday, as the ceremony celebrated the finest achievements in global cinema.

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Wunmi Mosaku won Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Sinners, marking a powerful return to the winners’ circle nearly a decade after securing the same category in 2017 for Damilola, Our Loved Boy.

The Nigerian-born performer, widely respected for her work across British and Hollywood productions, has amassed several BAFTA nominations over the years.

Industry observers describe her latest win as a defining moment in a career that has steadily elevated African representation on the global screen.

Also drawing significant acclaim was My Father’s Shadow, directed by Nigerian brothers Akinola Davies Jr. and Wale Davies, which claimed Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer.

The award places the filmmakers among a distinguished cohort of emerging British-based creatives recognised for exceptional first features.

My Father’s Shadow has enjoyed strong international recognition since its release.

The drama became the first Nigerian film selected for the official lineup at the Cannes Film Festival, where it premiered in the Un Certain Regard section to critical acclaim.

Set in Lagos during the fraught 1993 election crisis, the film follows a father and his two sons navigating the city amid political uncertainty.

Critics have praised its intimate storytelling and restrained yet emotionally charged portrayal of a turbulent chapter in Nigeria’s history.

Beyond the Nigerian successes, the evening saw major wins for One Battle After Another, which secured Best Film and Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson.

Jessie Buckley took Best Actress for Hamnet, while Robert Aramayo won Best Actor for I Swear.

However, the spotlight for many viewers across Nigeria and the diaspora remained firmly on the country’s representatives.

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The Nigerians 2026 BAFTA Awards breakthrough underscores the expanding footprint of Nigerian storytelling and talent within mainstream international cinema.