British-Nigerian Trio Join Oscars Academy 2026 Class

Nigerian talent is gaining more space inside one of the most powerful rooms in global cinema.

British-Nigerian filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr., actor Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, and costume designer PC Williams have been invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the body behind the Oscars.

According to AMPAS, the three creatives are part of the Academy’s 2026 membership class, which includes 529 artists and film executives from around the world. Academy membership is by invitation only, and new members receive voting rights for future Oscar races.

Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor said the 2026 invitees were chosen for their meaningful contributions to the global film industry and their commitment to the craft of filmmaking.

For Davies and Dìrísù, the invitation arrives after a major international run for My Father’s Shadow, Davies’ feature directorial debut starring Dìrísù. The UK-Nigeria production made history as the first Nigerian film selected for the official programme at the Cannes Film Festival.

At Cannes, the film received a Caméra d’Or Special Mention, further placing Nigerian storytelling in front of one of cinema’s most respected audiences. The film later strengthened its awards-season profile with a BAFTA Award for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer for Akinola and Wale Davies.

Davies celebrated the Academy invitation on Instagram, calling it one of those career moments that makes an artist pause. He also reflected on the importance of short films, collaboration, and trusting the people around you while building creative work.

Dìrísù also shared his gratitude, describing the invitation as a major honour. He credited the people who helped shape his journey, saying his career was built by a village he intends to carry with him.

Williams, who joins through the Costume Designers branch, framed the recognition as a shared victory. Her reaction also pointed to the behind-the-scenes teams whose work often gives films their cultural texture, visual identity, and emotional detail.

Their invitations add to a growing Nigerian presence inside the Academy. They join names such as Mo Abudu, Genevieve Nnaji, Ramsey Nouah, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Kunle Afolayan, Jade Osiberu, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Bunmi Ademilola Fashina, and Ré Olunuga.

The moment matters because Oscar membership is not just symbolic. It gives African and Nigerian film professionals a voice in how global cinema is judged, rewarded, and remembered.

For an industry still fighting for deeper international recognition, the arrival of Davies, Dìrísù, and Williams in the Academy’s 2026 class is another sign that Nigerian cinema is no longer watching from the margins. It is helping shape the conversation.