Following its launch in 1946, Cannes Film Festival has poised itself as one of the most prestigious spaces within the international film community bringing together a bevvy of filmmakers and lovers alike for an annual competition and celebration of cinema. The 2025 edition marks a historical turning point for Nigeria as My Father’s Shadow, the feature directorial debut by Akinola Davies Jr. The director will compete in the Un Certain Regard section which presents 20 films with unusual styles and non-traditional stories.
“This is a testament to everyone dedicated to telling authentic Nigerian stories: from crews, to the countless technicians who power our film industry,” Davies Jr shared when speaking about what it means to represent Nigeria, Nigerian cinema at Cannes, and the significance of their historic moment. “ It honors all those—past, present, and future—who laid the foundation for Nigerian cinema. I’m excited to be an ambassador for arthouse film in Nigeria, and even more excited for our cast and crew, whose talent and hard work truly deserve this spotlight.”
My Father’s Shadow is a semi-autobiographical tale set over the course of a single day in the Nigerian capital Lagos during the 1993 Nigeria election crisis. The story follows a father, estranged from his two young sons, as they travel through the massive city while political unrest threatens their journey home.
Starring Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù (Slow Horses, Gangs of London) and written by Wale Davies and Akinola Davies Jr, the film was 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. Executive Producers are Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe for Element Pictures, Eva Yates for BBC Film and Ama Ampadu for the BFI. Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, Wale Davies and Akinola Davies Jnr act as executive producers. Production design is by Anti Design. Presented by BBC Film and BFI, in association with the Match Factory, Fremantle, Electric Theatre Collective and MUBI, an Element Pictures production in association with Crybaby and Fatherland.
