Wale Davis Jr. and Akinola Davis Jr. have won the Outstanding British Debut by a Writer, Director or Producer at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. for their feature film, My Father’s Shadow. The brothers received the award at the Royal Festival Hall in London on 22 February 2026.

Akinola Davis:Instagram

The award recognises new filmmaking talent in British cinema. Akinola was the director while Wale co-wrote the screenplay. Although both have worked on creative projects before, this is their first featured-length film as a director.

During his BAFTA acceptance speech, Akinola Davies Jr. said:

“To the economic migrant, the conflict migrant, those under occupation, dictatorship, persecution and those experiencing genocide, you matter and your stories matter more than ever. Your dreams are an act of resistance. To those watching at home, archive your loved ones, archive your stories yesterday, today and forever.”

Akinola Davies:Getty Images

Wale Davies dedicated the award to their late father, whose influence shaped their creative paths.

My Father’s Shadow is set in Lagos during Nigeria’s 1993 presidential election.The film explores family bonds, and the complexity of fatherhood.

The production was filmed on location in Lagos and in Ibadan. The language choice of the movie was English, Yoruba, and Pidgin, capturing the speech setting of urban areas in Nigeria.

Source:Instagram

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Before its BAFTA success, the film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, where it received a Special Mention for the Caméra d’Or. This award honours first feature films. Its selection is good for Nigerian storytelling on an international platform.

Fans gave positive comments about the movie. One of them Andrew Parker said :

“Davies captures the time period perfectly, and My Father’s Shadow balances expressionistic flourishes with the raw human emotion that goes hand in hand with being raised by a distant, difficult to understand parent.”

LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 22: Wale Davies backstage during the EE BAFTA Film Awards 2026 at The Royal Festival Hall on February 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Carlo Paloni/BAFTA via Getty Images)

Stephen Porzio said :

“While Nigeria is so integral to My Father’s Shadow, this is a movie with a universal appeal.”

The film later became the United Kingdom’s official submission for Best International Feature Film at the Academy Awards. The project also earned nominations and recognition from the British Independent Film Awards and the Gotham Awards.

The National Film and Video Foundation has announced the nominees for the 19th Annual South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs). The awards ceremony is scheduled for 13 and 14 March 2026.

“These nominations show the incredible work being made by storytellers across our industry. We’re proud to collaborate with creative teams who bring South African stories to life with such commitment,” said Nomsa Philiso, Director: Content and General Entertainment in English and Portuguese Africa, for the MultiChoice Group.

Best Telenovela

• Inimba
• iThonga

Most Popular TV Soap or Telenovela (Public Vote)

• Champions
• Genesis
• Gqeberha: The Empire
• Inimba
• iThonga

Nefliwe Sibiya : Instagram

Performance Categories

Best Actor in a Telenovela

• Bonko Khoza – iThonga
• Sello Maake ka-Ncube – Champions

Best Actress in a Telenovela

• Nelisiwe Sibiya – iThonga

Best Supporting Actor

• Anele Matoti – Gqeberha: The Empire

Best Supporting Actress

• Zenande Mfenyana – Inimba
• Zodwa Nkosi – iThonga

Source: Instagram

Comedy Categories 

• Best Achievement in Make‑Up and Hairstyling – TV Comedy

• Best Achievement in Wardrobe – TV Comedy

• Best Achievement in Sound – TV Comedy

• Best Achievement in Art Direction – TV Comedy

• Best Achievement in Editing – TV Comedy

• Best Achievement in Scriptwriting – TV Comedy

• Best Achievement in Cinematography – TV Comedy

• Best Achievement in Directing – TV Comedy

Television Drama Categories

• Best Actor in a TV Drama: Presley Chweneyagae – Cobrizi
• Best TV Drama: Reyka Season 2
• Recognition for directing and writing: White Lies

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Reality and Entertainment Programming

Best Competition Reality Show

• The Catch

Best Structured or Docu-Reality Show

• Umkhonto Ogwazekhaya

Best Entertainment Programme

• Her Story Season 2
• Yash’ingoma Season 3

Documentary Categories

• Best Documentary: Chasing the Sun 2
• Additional recognition in editing and cinematography

Children’s Programming

• Best Children’s Programme: Let’s Play: Family Fitness Mornings

Best TV Presenter (Public Vote)

• Wright Ngubeni – Umkhonto Ogwazekhaya
• Stacey Holland – Let’s Play: Family Fitness Mornings

Source : Instagram

Craft Categories

Recognizing technical and creative excellence in areas such as:

• Editing
• Cinematography
• Original Score
• Wardrobe
• Sound

Key productions nominated include Genesis, Inimba, Champions, iThonga.

Feature Film Categories

• The Fix – nominations in technical and creative categories (original song, cinematography, production design)
• The Butcher’s Soul – nominations in technical and creative categories

The 19th SAFTAs nominations shows competition across all genres is growing strong.

Ciza has won the Breakout Artist of the Year award at the 9th edition of Africa’s Global Music Awards, held in Lagos, Nigeria. This award  recognises artists’ unique musical talent..

Africa’s Global Music Awards brought together artists, producers, and executives. Organisers used the platform to reward those shaping African music.

Ciza: Instagram

Ciza, whose real name is Nkululeko Nciza, earned the Breakout Artist recognition. Listeners responded positively to his blend of Amapiano, Afro dance and 3 Step elements.

Read also : Teyana Taylor Wins Her First Golden Globes and Delivers an Emotional Speech

In 2025, Ciza released the single Isaka(6am). The track increased his visibility in South Africa and attracted listeners from other African markets. This strengthened his profile as an emerging act with cross-border appeal.

Ciza: Instagram

The Breakout Artist of the Year category focuses on measurable growth. Ciza’s win placed him among top South Africa upcoming artists.

Ciza was named African Rookie of the Month by international music publication Billboard. That recognition shows how his work is received by international music industry. While AFRIMA did not release voting statistics, the award shows he is talented.

Ciza: Instagram

Ciza’s Breakout Artist win signals a significant stage in his career. As African music continues to gain global attention, new artists will continue to spring up annually.