Home / Arts and Entertainment / Filmmaker's Surprise BAFTA Breakthrough
Filmmaker's Surprise BAFTA Breakthrough
25 Nov, 2025
Summary
- Akinola Davies Jr. earned BAFTA Breakthrough recognition.
- He was initially unaware of the award's significance.
- Davies aims to learn from diverse industry professionals.
Akinola Davies Jr., a British-Nigerian filmmaker, has been selected for the prestigious BAFTA Breakthrough Brits list. His directorial debut, 'My Father's Shadow,' premiered at Cannes, and his short film 'Lizard' won a Sundance Grand Jury Prize. Davies admitted to initially misunderstanding the BAFTA selection email, only realizing its importance after clarification.
Davies expressed a strong desire to utilize the BAFTA Breakthrough program as a learning experience. He hopes to connect with fellow artists across different disciplines to understand their unique contributions and challenges in filmmaking. His goal is to gather diverse perspectives to foster better collaboration within his own projects.
The filmmaker acknowledged the career-enhancing potential of the BAFTA Breakthrough cohort, viewing it as an opportunity to increase his profile responsibly. He also shared a poignant reunion with cinematographer Nathalie Pitters, a long-time friend he met years ago while working in an ad agency, highlighting their shared journey to this significant career milestone.
