Oscars Call Up! Three British-Nigerians Join Hollywood’s Most Powerful Voting Club
Nigeria’s footprint in global cinema continues to grow, with three professionals of Nigerian heritage earning invitations to join one of the most exclusive bodies in the film industry — the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), organisers of the Oscars.
British-Nigerian filmmaker, Akinola Davies Jr., actor Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù and costume designer, PC Williams are among the 529 artists and executives selected for the Academy’s prestigious Class of 2026, a move that further boosts Nigerian representation within the organisation responsible for voting on the Academy Awards.
Membership of the Academy is strictly by invitation and is regarded as one of the highest honours in international filmmaking, giving recipients the right to vote in future Oscar nominations and award decisions.
Announcing the latest intake, Academy Chief Executive Officer, Bill Kramer and President, Lynette Howell Taylor said the invitees had distinguished themselves through their outstanding contributions to the global motion picture industry.
According to the Academy leadership, the new members were selected in recognition of their “commitment to filmmaking” and the significant impact they have made in cinema around the world.
The honour comes on the back of the remarkable international success of My Father’s Shadow, the critically acclaimed feature debut by Akinola Davies Jr., which stars Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù in the lead role. The U.K.-Nigeria production made history as the first Nigerian film to be selected for the official programme of the Cannes Film Festival and later secured a Caméra d’Or Special Mention. It also went on to win the BAFTA award for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer for Davies and his brother, Wale Davies.
Reacting to the invitation, Davies described the recognition as one of the defining moments of his career.
“There are moments in this work that stop you still. Being invited into the Academy is one of them. Knowing it came through the short films makes it hit different,” he wrote on Instagram.
He also encouraged upcoming creatives to continue believing in their work despite the challenges that often come with building a career in the film industry.
Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, known for his performances in productions including the acclaimed horror film His House and the historical drama series, Gangs of London, described the invitation as both an honour and a privilege.
“Being invited to be a member of the Academy is an honour and a privilege I can’t fully describe. My career took a village, and I’ll continue to take this village with me wherever the journey leads,” the actor said.
Meanwhile, costume designer, PC Williams, who was invited into the Academy’s Costume Designers branch in recognition of her body of work, also celebrated the milestone on social media.
“OMG what a ride, Academy Class of 2026. It takes a village,” she wrote.
The trio now join a growing list of Nigerian and Nigerian-descended members of the Academy, including Mo Abudu, Genevieve Nnaji, Kunle Afolayan, Ramsey Nouah, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Jade Osiberu, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Bunmi Ademilola Fashina and Ré Olunuga, highlighting the growing influence of Nigerian storytelling on the global stage.
