Nigerian audiences are set for a cinematic treat as My Father’s Shadow, the internationally acclaimed debut feature film by Akinola Davies Jr., will premiere in cinemas nationwide on September 19.
The movie, already a global sensation, etched its name in history as the first Nigerian feature to be selected for the prestigious Cannes Film Festival Official Selection (Un Certain Regard) earlier this year.
It went further to clinch the Caméra d’Or Special Mention, a recognition that placed the production alongside some of the world’s most promising cinematic works.
Critics have hailed the film for its originality and depth. The Guardian described it as a “subtle and intelligent coming-of-age tale,” while IndieWire praised it as “a beautifully remembered drama about a fateful day trip into Lagos.”
Set during Nigeria’s tense 1993 election crisis, the semi-autobiographical story follows two brothers who reconnect with their estranged father for a day-long trip through Lagos.
The production, shot entirely on 16mm film, captures Lagos in its raw beauty and chaos, treating the city itself as a character.
The Director of the film, Akinola Davies Jr. explained that the film is deeply personal, adding that “I cried when I first read the script my brother Wale wrote. Our stories don’t need to be sensationalised; they’re powerful enough as they are. Point a camera at anything in Lagos, and it becomes cinematic.”
The screenplay was co-written by Davies Jr. and his Grammy-winning brother, Wale Davies.
British-Nigerian actor Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù (Slow Horses, Gangs of London) leads the cast alongside newcomers Godwin and Chibuike Marvellous Egbo, whose debut performances have been described as “stirring” and “authentic.”
The ensemble also includes Nollywood veterans and rising stars such as Ayo Lijadu, Greg “Teddy Bear” Ojefua, Uzoamaka Power, Winifred Efon, and Olarotimi Fakunle.
Behind the scenes, the film was powered by a predominantly Nigerian crew, over 80 percent, under the banner of Fatherland Productions, with international support from Element Pictures, BBC Film, BFI, and global streaming service MUBI.
The project was produced by Rachel Dargavel for Element Pictures and Funmbi Ogunbanwo for Fatherland Productions. Executive producers include Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe (Element Pictures), Eva Yates (BBC Film), Ama Ampadu (BFI), and the Davies brothers themselves.
With production design by Anti Design and partnerships with The Match Factory, Fremantle, Electric Theatre Collective, and Crybaby, My Father’s Shadow is being positioned not only as a Nigerian film but also as a global cinematic milestone.
Industry watchers believe the film’s success at Cannes and its global reception will further strengthen Nigeria’s position in world cinema. For many, the September 19 Nigerian release represents a “homecoming” for a story deeply rooted in the nation’s cultural and political memory.
As anticipation builds, the film is expected to draw both cinema lovers and casual viewers eager to see how Nigerian storytelling continues to break boundaries on the world stage.
Credit: Nation
