Akinola Davies Jr Urges Migrants To ‘Archive Their Stories’ In BAFTA Acceptance Speech

Akinola Davies Jr has urged immigrants to archive their stories and their loved ones, as their stories and dreams matter more than ever.

The 40-year-old film director and writer made the call during his acceptance speech at the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) after cinching the Outstanding Debut award for his 2025 film, ‘My Father’s Shadow’.

In his speech, Davies Jr thanked his parents for their faith in him and his brother Wale Davies, the film’s co-writer, for “nurturing the spark and writing this beautiful story.”

He also dedicated the award to all immigrants whose parents had to leave their countries for several reasons, economic conflict, political occupation or dictatorship, persecution, or genocide.

“Your stories matter more than ever. Your resistance, your dreams. To those watching from home, archive your loved ones, archive your stories, yesterday, today, and forever.”

On his part, Wale Davies, highlighted shadows not merely as painful pasts or memories but as a “proof of light”.

“I want to give thanks to God and to my father, Akinola David Sr. Thank you for the shadow you cast over our lives.

“Shadows are proof of light, and I hope that one day we may cast the shadow that both intrigues and inspires our loved ones, and to the love of my life, my daughter, I love you.”

Released in 2025, My Father’s Shadow premiered in the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival, becoming the first Nigerian film selected for the festival’s Official Selection, and earning a Special Mention for the Camera d’Or. The film has since then continued to garner momentum across the awards circuit, including recognition at the British Independent Film Awards and the Gotham Awards. It was also submitted as the UK’s entry for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, but did not secure a nomination.