Talent Talk: My Father's Shadow

Writer-director Akinola Davies’ first feature film, My Father’s Shadow (‘Un Certain Regard’), brings us on a journey through the city of Lagos, Nigeria, seen from the perspective of two young brothers. The director, whose short film Lizard was the winner of Sundance Short Film Grand Jury Prize, will be in conversation with co-writer Wale Davies, UK producer Rachel Dargavel, Nigerian co-producer Funmbi Ogunbanwo and BBC FILM Director Eva Yates. The film is supported by BBC FILM and the BFI. 

Speakers:

AKINOLA DAVIES JNR | Writer-director
MY FATHER'S SHADOW

WALE AKINOLA DAVIES JNR | Writer
MY FATHER'S SHADOW

RACHEL DARGAVEL | Producer
Element Films/Crybaby Films | MY FATHER'S SHADOW

FUNMBI OGUNBANWO | Producer
Fatherland Productions | MY FATHER'S SHADOW

EVA YATES | Director
BBC Film

Moderator:

AMA AMPADU | Senior Production and Development Executive
BFI 

About the speakers:

AKINOLA DAVIES JNR | Writer-director
MY FATHER'S SHADOW
Akinola Davies is a BAFTA-nominated and Sundance Award-winning filmmaker, and a Somerset House artist-in-residence; his work spans nations to explore themes of community, race, spirituality, identity and gender, telling stories that bridge the gap between generations and communities. His narrative short film LIZARD premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, followed by the London Film Festival. LIZARD was nominated for the BAFTA for Best British Short Film in 2021, having also won the Sundance Grand Jury Prize and the Blackstar Film Festival Short Film Award. Akinola was selected for the Berlinale Talents 2020 Collective and was named one of Screen Daily’s ‘Stars of Tomorrow’. Akinola has become a go-to creative in the fashion industry, working with brands such as Gucci, Acne Studios, COS, Moncler, Kenzo, Mulberry, Louis Vuitton on multiple creative projects, in front of, and behind, the camera. Alongside his work in narrative film and fashion, Akinola has directed music videos for artists including Neneh Cherry, Kae Tempest and Blood Orange.

WALE AKINOLA DAVIES JNR | Writer
MY FATHER'S SHADOW
Whether it’s in music, film, or business, the continent has undeniably profited from the hustle, and vision of artist turned-executive Wale Davies. A global creative figurehead, Davies has leveraged his singular experience for relentless and selfless legacy-building. Born and raised in Nigeria, Wale transitioned from a finance career to cofound the groundbreaking rap duo Show Dem Camp. Pioneering the unique "Palm Wine Music" sound, whilst achieving millions in streaming numbers and global tour success. Beyond musical feats, Wale launched the Palm Wine Music Festival in Lagos during 2018, a festival that has gone on to gain international success across the UK, North America and Africa. A successful director and producer with over thirty music videos in his repertoire, Wale has collaborated with renowned brands such as Visa, Kenzo, Emirates Airlines, BBC, Farfetch, Carhartt, and Art X Lagos. He co-produced the award-winning short film LIZARD, earning a Bafta nomination and securing the Grand Jury Prize at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. As Head of A&R for Africa at Sony Music Publishing, Wale spearheaded the signing of super-producer GuiltyBeatz, Lojay, Ladipoe & more. Whilst executing two successful Songwriting Camps in Ghana - uniting some of the finest musical talent from across the globe. Dedicated to revolutionizing the music industry for African artists Wale’s achievements do not go unnoticed. The prestigious Oxford University requested Davies speak at the 15th Annual Oxford Africa Business Forum in 2024. An invite extended to only the most esteemed trailblazers. Wale Davies is the cultural polymath turning the wheels of Africa’s ascension. And, still, he is far from done. “I believe as Africans our voices need to be out there.”

RACHEL DARGAVEL | Producer
MY FATHER'S SHADOW
Rachel produced BAFTA nominated short LIZARD by Akinola Davies Jr, which won the Sundance Jury Prize in 2021, BIFA nominated feature film ONLY YOU by Harry Wootliff and co-produced Cannes 2024 Un Certain Regard nominee SEPTEMBER SAYS through her production outfit CRYBABY. With Element Pictures, Rachel has acted as Executive Producer on Shane Meadows’ series THE GALLOWS POLE and THE LISTENERS directed by Janicza Bravo. A unique and multifaceted producer, Rachel has benefitted from understanding both the creative and practical elements of filmmaking which has established her as the dynamic producer she is today. From cutting her teeth as an Assistant Director before line producing a number of UK indie projects, notably WEEKEND and 45 YEARS this experience subsequently led to securing Co-Producer roles on SONG FOR MARION, FILTH, NORFOLK, DISOBEDIENCE and YULI. Through Harnessing hands-on experience with producing, Rachel also has extensive experience with Film and HETV productions in the capacity of Head of Production and Senior Production Executive. Rachel has always worked to develop her own slate alongside supporting other producers to do the same. Rachel currently has projects in funded development with Akinola Davies Jr, Courttia Newland, Caleb Femi and Daisy Haggard and continues to produce and both co-produce across both Film and TV.

FUNMBI OGUNBANWO | Producer
MY FATHER'S SHADOW
Funmbi Ogunbanwo, a Sundance award-winning producer, is a leading figure in African cinema and storytelling. As the co-founder and CEO of Fatherland, she has established a creative powerhouse that reshapes African film, television, and digital content. Originally trained as a barrister, Funmbi shifted to film production, building an impressive portfolio of feature films and campaigns for major global brands like Google, Goldman Sachs, and Visa. Her work includes the AMVCA-nominated film Banana Island Ghost, where she served as Associate Producer and Project Manager, earning her widespread acclaim in Africa’s entertainment industry. Her role as a commissioning editor at MultiChoice has further honed her expertise in strategic storytelling and production, helping shape Fatherland’s ambitious goals on a global scale. A career highlight for Funmbi includes producing LIZARD, the first Nigerian short film to win at Sundance, and pioneering a partnership with Element Pictures, making Fatherland the first Nigerian company to collaborate with the internationally acclaimed studio. Beyond production, Funmbi is dedicated to building sustainable business models for African creatives and mentors emerging creative enterprises in Africa. She speaks widely on African storytelling and the creative economy, using her platform to inspire new filmmakers and creative entrepreneurs across the continent and beyond.

EVA YATES | Director
BBC Film
Having grown up in Scotland and graduated from Glasgow University and Falmouth College of Art, Eva started her career at BBC Scotland, moving onto production and development roles at UK Film Council and Revolution Films where she worked on Michael Winterbottom’s THE ROAD TO GUANTANAMO, Samantha Morton’s THE UNLOVED and The Red Riding Trilogy. Eva rejoined the BBC in 2017 and became Director of BBC Film in 2022. At the BBC she has commissioned and executive produced over 40 features, including Charlotte Wells’ Oscar-nominated and BAFTA-winning AFTERSUN; Charlotte Regan’s Sundance Grand Jury Prize-winning SCRAPPER; Aleem Khan’s BAFTA and six-time BIFA-winning AFTER LOVE; Georgia Oakley’s BAFTA-nominated BLUE JEAN; and the directorial debuts of Raine Allen-Miller (RYE LANE), Remi Weekes (HIS HOUSE), Dionne Edwards (PRETTY RED DRESS), Sam H. Freeman and Ng Choon (FEMME), Aneil Karia (SURGE) and Fyzal Boulifa (LYNNE + LUCY). More recently Eva has Executive Produced Sandhya Suri’s SANTOSH; Rungano Nyoni’s ON BECOMING A GUINEA FOWL; Andrea Arnold’s BIRD and four films in Official Selection at Cannes 2025: Joachim Trier’s SENTIMENTAL VALUE, Akinola Davies Jnr’s MY FATHER’S SHADOW, Harry Lighton’s PILLION and Harris Dickonson’s URCHIN. Eva joined the BBC from Film4, where she executive produced Rungano Nyoni’s BAFTA-winning I AM NOT A WITCH, and worked across titles including AMERICAN HONEY, CAROL, 45 YEARS, and SUFFRAGETTE.