It was an unforgettable evening for African creatives at the 2025 Gotham Awards held in New York on Monday, December 1. Sopé Dìrísù clinched the award for Outstanding Lead Performance for My Father’s Shadow, a film that also made history as the first Nigerian production to earn an official selection at the Cannes Film Festival.
That same night, Akinola Davies Jr. was honored with the Breakthrough Director award for the very same film — a project already decorated with several recognitions, including a Special Mention for the Caméra d’Or and Best Director at the British Independent Film Awards. Davies accepted Dìrísù’s trophy in his absence, as the actor was unable to attend the event.
Speaking backstage with EBONY, Davies expressed his joy: “It’s wild, honestly, but I’m really happy. Sopé absolutely deserves this… his performance in the film is truly outstanding. Honestly, he’s the main reason audiences came to watch it. He believed strongly in the vision and even joined as an executive producer — I couldn’t be more thrilled for him.”
The night also celebrated more African excellence: Wunmi Mosaku secured Outstanding Supporting Performance for Sinners, and Abou Sangaré earned the Breakthrough Performer award for Souleymane’s Story, marking a remarkable moment for African voices at the independent film ceremony.