Akinola Davies Jr is bracing himself for what could be a career-defining moment as he prepares to face off against fellow British independent filmmakers at the upcoming British Independent Film Awards. The Nigeria-set drama My Father's Shadow, which premiered at Cannes with rave reviews, has emerged as the leading contender in several categories, including Best British Independent Film and Best Director.
Directed by Davies Jr and starring Sope Dirisu, the film is a deeply personal coming-of-age story that explores the complexities of family relationships. Critics have praised its raw emotion and nuanced performances, with The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw calling it "a transparently personal project... a moving account of how, just for one day, two young boys glimpse the real life and real history of their father who has been mostly absent for much of their lives".
Davies Jr is also his brother Wale's debut as a screenwriter, with the sibling duo having taken on a significant creative risk by making a film that is both deeply personal and universally relatable. The success of My Father's Shadow has already seen it released in Nigeria, where it received widespread critical acclaim.
Other films vying for awards include Pillion, an English drama about romance, devotion, and loss, and I Swear, a biopic about Tourette syndrome activist John Davidson. While both films have also received praise from critics, with The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw likening Pillion to "a cross between Alan Bennett and Tom of Finland", they seem unlikely to rival My Father's Shadow in the Best British Independent Film category.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on November 30.
Directed by Davies Jr and starring Sope Dirisu, the film is a deeply personal coming-of-age story that explores the complexities of family relationships. Critics have praised its raw emotion and nuanced performances, with The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw calling it "a transparently personal project... a moving account of how, just for one day, two young boys glimpse the real life and real history of their father who has been mostly absent for much of their lives".
Davies Jr is also his brother Wale's debut as a screenwriter, with the sibling duo having taken on a significant creative risk by making a film that is both deeply personal and universally relatable. The success of My Father's Shadow has already seen it released in Nigeria, where it received widespread critical acclaim.
Other films vying for awards include Pillion, an English drama about romance, devotion, and loss, and I Swear, a biopic about Tourette syndrome activist John Davidson. While both films have also received praise from critics, with The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw likening Pillion to "a cross between Alan Bennett and Tom of Finland", they seem unlikely to rival My Father's Shadow in the Best British Independent Film category.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on November 30.
! I've seen My Father's Shadow and let me tell u its SO emotional 
... like, raw emotion all over the place 
. The fact that its based on his own life experiences makes it so relatable, you feel? And the cast is INSANE, Sope Dirisu is a NATURAL 
. I'm low-key rooting for Wale Jr to win Best Director tho 
, he's got such talent! Pillion and I Swear are okay, but My Father's Shadow is in a league of its own 
. Can't wait to see who takes home the gold on Nov 30th 
i'm rooting for my fathers shadow to win best british independent film and best director hands down! november 30 can't come soon enough 
! I got tea that Akinola Davies Jr is literally shaking with excitement right now lol. He's been working so hard to get this film just right and it's finally paying off! My Father's Shadow is a game-changer, imo 
. The way the critics are raving about it, the fact that it premiered at Cannes and is getting buzz worldwide... it's like, he's on fire 
! And can we talk about the siblings vibe? Writing a film together as a duo? Genius, right? 
It's gonna be a tough competition, but I'm rooting for Akinola all the way 
. Fingers crossed he takes home that Best British Independent Film award 
!
can't wait to see the winner of Best British Independent Film category on november 30!! fingers crossed for Akinola Davies Jr