Words Billie Brand
Film and photography Elliot Sheppard
Production Harry Cave

In a corner of Akinola Davies’ studio in Somerset House is half a giant bubblegum-pink dragon head. In any other situation, the fluffy Falkor-inspired prop might raise eyebrows but not this time. Akinola is a filmmaker whose evocative and often dream-like work comes in “all shapes and sizes”. From his BAFTA-nominated, Sundance-winning short Lizard (about a Nigerian schoolgirl who can sense danger) to commissions from clients including artist Alvaro Barrington, fashion designer Bianca Saunders and musician Blood Orange, Akinola’s genre-defying, story-led films are a testament to his imagination. “I’m an all-rounder,” he says when quizzed on his style. “But the two things that make me say yes to a project are trust and substance.”

Akinola has lived between the UK and Nigeria for most of his life. He was born in London but moved to Lagos as an infant, where he stayed until he hit his teens. “As a family, we watched a lot of telenovelas,” he says, recalling his early memories of film and TV. “Nigerians love a melodramatic soap opera.” He describes the kids’ shows he watched – “things like The Muppets and Sesame Street” – as “pure magic”, but no programme caught his attention as much as one particular window in his living room. Framing views of towering pine trees and a neighbouring community in the distance, “I would spend hours after school looking out of it, listening to Imam chants in the distance,” he says. “I’d think: ‘There’s a big world out there.’ Ever since I was a child, I’ve always loved the idea of adventure and been infatuated with the idea of escaping.”

“I’ve always loved the idea of adventure and been infatuated with the idea of escaping”

Today, Akinola is settled in south-east London (though he has his sights set on LA). For the past two years, he’s been renting an apartment on the ground floor of a one-time boozer. Shrouded in greenery, the building is somewhat hidden from the street to the point that you could easily miss the entrance. Inside, the space is compact but characterful: the old ‘ladies’ loo sign hangs in its original place (on the door that leads of Akinola’s bedroom), and there are dents in the wooden floor formerly made by pool cues. Also commanding the eye is a huge flatscreen TV that hangs on one wall next to bespoke Vistœ shelving. Naturally, film plays a big part in Akinola’s life – and right here, from the comfort of his own home, is his favourite place to watch movies. “I might not own it,” he says of his apartment, “but I’ve been able to make it my own.”

What was your early experience of life in Lagos like?
I lived in a house that my dad built in Gbagada. When we first moved there, it was a new development and we were the first to build on our road – a truly virgin land – and so for identification, the property was named after my dad and registered with the local government. One thing I remember about our home is the flooring, which was a really beautiful mosaic. Growing up in Nigeria was fun, however, I remember being curious about life elsewhere. But, even after moving to the UK at the age of 13, Lagos is still my spiritual home. I love the way people exchange with each other there. We’re inherently flirty, jovial and silly with each other.

Did you have a good imagination as a child?
Yes, but I had to because we’d have long periods of time without electricity. Our power was run through a generator and if mum wasn’t home to put it on, we didn’t have any. My brother, Wale – an artist and writer who I collaborate with today – dived into reading, whereas I’d be in the garden digging things up or staring out that window, daydreaming.

What’s your relationship like with Lagos now?
When I go to Lagos, I feel very calm – even though it’s not a place associated with that. The pace of life there comes naturally to me. Days feel long; every minute feels like five minutes. I can’t tell you why, but places with super intense sun and humidity feel that way to me.

“Lagos is my spiritual home. I love the way people exchange with each other there”

Can you describe your home today and tell us what originally attracted you to the space?
I rent a pub conversion in Elephant and Castle and I have been here since 2021. As soon as I viewed this flat, I knew I wanted it. It has character – you can see its history: the kitchen is where the bar was, the living area was the games room, the snooker stand is still intact… It also has huge windows that frame green views and, because it’s south facing, it gets lovely light in the evening.

How would you describe the interiors?
Creative chaos. I have a real mishmash of stuff. However, one thing I really like is craft. I’m obsessed with people who make stuff with their own hands: my rug is by Tom Atton Moore; my concrete table is by Graham Sayle; my bedroom stool by Nifemi Marcus-Bello.

As someone who travels a lot for work, what do you look most forward to when you come home?
My bed. My osteopath recommended the mattress I currently have and I love it. Purchasing it was the biggest act of self-care. I love waking up there.

What is the soundtrack to your home?
I go through periods where I listen to a lot of music, but there are also periods where I don’t listen to anything at all. If I do, it tends to be compositions or music without lyrics because I find it a lot easier to consume. I listen to a lot of contemporary jazz musicians coming out of London.

Describe your morning routine.
My day begins around midday. If I’m up before 10am, that’s an achievement. First of all, I like to do something active. I might go for a walk or run around my neighbourhood. I started properly running in 2020 and have been doing it consistently ever since. I find it’s so good for my mind and body. My route takes me from mine to Burgees Park, down Old Kent Road and back home again. Then, when I have time, I’ll make breakfast – something like a smoothie, an omelette and some fruit. I’m a big fan of cooking in my kitchen. Then I get through some emails before I go to my studio.

Does the perfect afternoon for you involve work?
I love what I do so I don’t always consider it work. For me, a good day would include a few hours in my studio, which is in Somerset House. I used to work from home, but I’m a real homebody and I found I wouldn’t really leave the house. I also love to people watch and the courtyard at Somerset House is a good place for it.

What excites you about people watching?
I could watch a human, make up 10 different stories about them and their reality could still be nothing like what I’d imagined. I love observing people’s mannerisms and the way they carry themselves. As a filmmaker, people watching is a part of my job. I’ve recently been making a fly-on-the-wall documentary in Manchester and it involved spending a day at a multi-generational, Black-owned bakery in Old Trafford. We got there at 6am and watched two people bake all day. That’s it. And I find it fascinating.

“I love sitting on the sofa, watching movies and video essays. I could happily do that every single night”

What has been your most personal project to date?
This is an easy question to answer: a film about my mum I made during lockdown, which was commissioned by Somerset House. Strangely enough, she isn’t even in it, but her voice is. It’s on YouTube and only has about 3,000 views, but I remember sending it to my brother Wale and after he watched it, he called me in tears. He said as soon as he heard mum speak, he broke down. That meant a lot to me.

You’re currently working on your first feature film. What can you tell us about that?
We’ve been working on it for the last couple of years. It’s a story Wale conceived – and it feels deeply personal. We thought: ‘We might never get the opportunity to make a feature film again, so let’s make something for us and something for our family.

What role does film play at home today?
I love sitting on the sofa, watching movies and video essays. I could happily do that every single night. But equally, I love going to the cinema. I’m really excited for my generation of filmmakers to be on screen: Raine Allen-Miller, Savannah Leaf, Molly Manning Walker, Charlotte Regan, Dionne Edwards. It’s cool seeing features that have been made by my friends.

Tell us about a local gem you love.
There’s an amazing Kurdish place nearby called Nandine. It’s beautiful. The red-pepper hummus is the best. It’s my go-to order every time I visit. But, when it comes to food, I also love to cook in my kitchen at home. I make simple, healthy stuff with minimal ingredients. I don’t approach meals with a plan, it’s usually about what I can make with what I already have.

As a night owl, what time do you go you bed?
I aim to have lights off at 3am, but I’m getting better at going to bed earlier. For me, my mind is at peace at night. It’s the portion of the day that I tend to have to myself. The ritual of getting ready and then into bed is an absolute joy. It’s the thing I look forward to all day.