‘My Father’s Shadow’, the critically acclaimed film production by Akinola Davies Jr, will premiere on 19 September in Nigeria.
‘My Father’s Shadow’ made cinematic history in 2025, as the first Nigerian feature to be officially selected in the Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard section, and received a prestigious Caméra d’Or Special Mention for best first feature.
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The film’s distribution company, 3101 Media, in a statement on Wednesday, said the production is a debut feature of Akinola Davies Jr and will mark both an artistic triumph and the beginning of a new chapter in Nigerian cinema.
The statement stated that the notable recognition of the film’s feature by the Cannes Film Festival is consistent with the film’s larger mission of preserving and archiving Nigerian stories through cinematic artistry.
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My Father’s Shadow
‘My Father’s Shadow‘ takes place over one day in Lagos, against the backdrop of the aftermath of the ‘June 12’, 1993, presidential election.
The plot further unravels two brothers, Akin and Remi, as their estranged father, Folarin (Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù), guides them through the city.
The production was shot on 16mm film and combines poetic visuals with emotional realism to provide both visual and narrative depth.
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The film’s director described the film as deeply personal and a testament to Nollywood talents
“With no context, the script was sent to me, and I cried when I read it. It’s a testament to the talent and the thriving Nigerian film industry. Point a camera at anything in Lagos, and it’s so cinematic.
“80% of our cast and crew are from Nollywood. We’re creating something together. Africans should be proud of their aesthetics,” he added.
However, the film production is a collaborative effort between Fatherland Productions (based in Lagos), Element Pictures, MUBI, and Crybaby, while it was funded by BBC Film, the BFI, and partners Fremantle and Electric Theatre Collective.
Industry shift
Additionally, the film introduces new stars, Godwin and Chibuike Marvellous Egbo, which also demonstrates the industry’s ability to engage global audiences without sacrificing its roots.
Also, Kene Okwuosa, group CEO of Filmhouse Group, stated that the film’s ability to expand the depth of Nigerian story and talents echoes this industry shift in the Nigerian movie industry.
“At Filmhouse, we are committed to backing stories that push boundaries and showcase the depth of Nigerian talent to audiences at home and abroad,” the CEO said.
In his remarks, Ladun Awobokun, chief content officer at FilmOne Entertainment, said the film is a representation of the next phase in Nollywood.
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“My Father’s Shadow isn’t just a film; it represents the next chapter of cinematic possibility in Nigeria.”
According to the statement, My Father’s Shadow celebrates memory, identity, fatherhood, and nationhood, while reaffirming Nigeria’s creative power and inspiring investment in culturally authentic storytelling.
The film, which starred Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, was written by Wale Davies and Akinola Davies Jr., but developed by BBC Film, which previously backed the duo’s BAFTA-nominated short ‘Lizard’.
My Father’s Shadow is produced by Rachel Dargavel for Element Pictures and Funmbi Ogunbanwo for Fatherland Productions.
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