When My Father’s Shadow premiered at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, it did more than place Nigerian cinema on one of the world’s most prestigious stages. It signaled the arrival of a film that treats cinema as a living archive of the fragile moments that shape a nation’s history.
Directed by Akinola Davies Jr., the film is a semi-autobiographical work rooted in Lagos during the turbulence of Nigeria’s 1993 election crisis.
Told through the eyes of a father and his two young sons as they journey home across the city, the film is a portrait of loss, reconciliation and a turning point in democracy.
“I wouldn’t say that I was critically aware of all these things at that age, but I knew something was happening. The annulled election set off a chain in which Nigeria was further enthralled into an even more brutal military dictatorship. There were lots of human rights atrocities. In my memory, I would say that 1993 was a very definitive year in Nigeria,” Davies Jr. said.
Making History At Cannes
My Father’s Shadow was the first Nigerian feature ever selected for the Cannes Film Festival’s Official Selection (Un Certain Regard). It received the Caméra d’Or Special Mention, a recognition given to debut films.
Critics praised its quiet intensity and lyrical storytelling: The Guardian UK called it a “subtle and intelligent coming-of-age tale,” while IndieWire described it as “a beautifully remembered drama”.
For Funmbi Ogunbanwo, Producer of My Father’s Shadow and CEO of Fatherland Productions, the moment marked more than recognition: “This is a cultural milestone. It shows the world is ready to embrace our stories, told through our own eyes, without compromise.”
The Egbo Brothers: Faces Of A Generation
At the centre of the film are two remarkable young debut actors, Chibuike Marvellous Egbo (12) and Godwin Egbo (10). Discovered through a Fatherland street casting initiative, the brothers embody the innocence and honesty of childhood while carrying the weight of history in their performances. Their story is part of Fatherland’s mission to nurture local talent and lead creative exchange with the world.
Nigeria First
The film has already traveled far and now it comes home. On September 19, 2025, My Father’s Shadow will premiere in Nigeria, distributed by FilmOne Entertainment. For Kene Okwuosa, Group CEO of Filmhouse Group, echoes this industry shift: “At Filmhouse, we are committed to backing stories that push boundaries and showcase the depth of Nigerian talent to audiences at home and abroad.” Ladun Awobokun, Chief Content Officer at FilmOne Entertainment, adds: “My Father’s Shadow isn’t just a film – it represents the next chapter of cinematic possibility in Nigeria.”
Cinema As Memory, Cinema As Legacy
Shot entirely in Nigeria with a cast and shooting crew that was over 80 per cent Nigerian, My Father’s Shadow proudly sits on the foundation Nollywood built while ushering in a new wave of Nigerian cinema. It is cinema that entertains, but also preserves; that speaks to the present, but records for the future.
