Akinola Davies Jr. Joins Prestigious BAFTA Breakthrough Brits List After Landmark Year

British-Nigerian filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr. has been selected for the 2025 BAFTA Breakthrough Brits program. This honor recognizes his exceptional work on his feature debut, My Father’s Shadow. The announcement caps a remarkable year for the director, whose film has garnered significant international acclaim.

His inclusion in the cohort, supported by Netflix, highlights his rising status within the global film industry. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Davies was genuinely surprised by the news, initially overlooking the congratulatory email.

A Surprise Honor for a Rising Director

Davies described his unexpected reaction to the BAFTA news. He admitted to skimming the email at first, thinking it was a simple invitation. It was only upon a second, more careful reading that the reality set in.

The filmmaker expressed a deep desire to use the Breakthrough experience as a learning opportunity. He aims to connect with a wide range of industry professionals to better understand their crafts. Davies views this as a chance to become a true student of filmmaking.

He acknowledges the platform will significantly raise his profile. He intends to carry this new responsibility with humility and a commitment to continuous learning. For Davies, the goal is to earn the right to be among such esteemed company with his future projects.

A Full-Circle Moment with an Old Friend

The Breakthrough list created a special full-circle moment for Davies. He discovered his old friend, cinematographer Nathalie Pitters, was also selected for the 2025 cohort. The two had met over 16 years ago while working as office runners.

They had shared their dreams of working in film from their reception desk. Davies recalled telling Pitters he hoped to one day direct her cinematography. Their simultaneous recognition by BAFTA makes their journey from office runners to acclaimed artists a wild and rewarding story.

Thought you’d like to know

What is the BAFTA Breakthrough program?

It is a talent initiative run by the British Academy. It identifies and supports outstanding up-and-coming industry talent in the UK. The program is supported by Netflix.

What is Akinola Davies Jr. known for?

He is best known for his feature film debut, *My Father’s Shadow*. The film premiered at Cannes and is the UK’s Oscar submission. He also won a Sundance Grand Jury Prize for his short film *Lizard*.

How many nominations did his film receive at the BIFAs?

*My Father’s Shadow* led the British Independent Film Award nominations. It received an impressive 12 nods. This further cemented its status as a critical success.

Has Davies worked with Netflix before?

Davies stated he has not previously worked with Netflix. He humorously added a call to the streamer, saying “Netflix, give me a shout!” following his Breakthrough selection.

Who else from his past was named a Breakthrough Brit?

Nathalie Pitters, a cinematographer, was also selected. She and Davies met as young office runners over 16 years ago. They had dreamed of collaborating as director and cinematographer.