By Peter Omopo
Nigerian-British filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr. is set to premiere his debut feature, My Father’s Shadow, in Nigerian cinemas after earning international acclaim.
The film made history as the first Nigerian feature selected for the prestigious Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard section, where it received a Caméra d’Or Special Mention for Best First Feature.
Set in Lagos in the tense aftermath of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, the story unfolds over a single day as two brothers, Akin and Remi, reconnect with their estranged father, Folarin—portrayed by British-Nigerian actor Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù.
Describing the project as “deeply personal,” Davies Jr. said, “When I first read the script, I cried. It’s a testament to Nigerian talent and the thriving film industry. Point a camera at anything in Lagos, and it’s so cinematic.”
The production, a collaboration between Fatherland Productions (Lagos), Element Pictures, MUBI, and Crybaby, with backing from BBC Film, the BFI, Fremantle, and Electric Theatre Collective, employed over 80% Nigerian cast and crew. Filmed across Lagos and Ibadan, the project also boosted local infrastructure and created jobs.
Industry stakeholders have hailed the work as a turning point for Nigerian cinema. Filmhouse Group CEO Kene Okwuosa noted, “We are committed to backing stories that push boundaries and showcase the depth of Nigerian talent.” Similarly, FilmOne Entertainment’s Chief Content Officer, Ladun Awobokun, described the movie as “the next chapter of cinematic possibility in Nigeria.”
My Father’s Shadow, shot on 16mm film, blends poetic imagery with emotional realism while exploring themes of memory, identity, fatherhood, and nationhood. It also introduces fresh Nollywood talents Godwin and Chibuike Marvellous Egbo.
The nationwide release is scheduled for September 19, 2025, with critics already calling it both a cinematic milestone and a declaration of Nigeria’s growing global influence in film.
