Akinola Davies Jr. on BAFTA Win, 'Free Palestine' Cut From Speech

Variety

by Ellise Shafer

February 23, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Akinola Davies Jr. made history at the BAFTA Film Awards by winning the Outstanding Debut category for *My Father’s Shadow*, a film that highlights immigrant and underrepresented stories. During his acceptance speech, Davies Jr., who sported pins representing Palestine and the Democratic Republic of Congo, emphasized the importance of amplifying marginalized voices, particularly those of economic migrants and those under oppression. He concluded with “free Palestine,” a call to action for global solidarity. However, this powerful closing line was omitted from the BBC’s edited broadcast, which reduced the three-hour ceremony to two hours. While the BBC defended the edit as part of necessary time constraints, the decision sparked outrage online. Davies Jr., who grew up between London and Lagos, explained that his speech aimed to honor the struggles of those often unheard in mainstream media. He acknowledged the significance of using his platform to advocate for justice, even if parts of his message were lost in the broadcast. Despite the disappointment, he remained proud of his moment to raise awareness about critical issues. The filmmaker also praised the team behind *The Voice of Hind Rajab*, a Gaza drama that lost to *Sentimental Value* but resonated deeply with him. Davies Jr.’s speech and the subsequent controversy highlight the challenges of balancing live entertainment with sensitive political messaging. While his message was censored, it sparked meaningful conversations about representation in media and the importance of using awards platforms for advocacy. His victory also underscores the growing recognition of diverse storytelling in British cinema, particularly works like *My Father’s Shadow*, which explores themes of migration, identity, and family through the lens of Nigerian politics. The incident raises questions about how major broadcasters handle political statements during live events. While Davies Jr.’s speech was edited out, other controversial moments, such as a racial slur from a nominee in *I Swear*, were initially left in but later

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Originally published on Variety on 2/23/2026