Check Out This Exclusive Sneak Peek of “My Father’s Shadow”

The highly anticipated debut by acclaimed director Akinola Davies Jr. will begin its global cinema rollout in Nigeria. The film is the first ever Nigerian feature to be selected for the Official Selection at the Cannes Film Festival and was awarded a prestigious Caméra d’Or Special Mention.

My Father’s Shadow is set in Lagos against the backdrop of the June 12, 1993 election results and follows two brothers on a transformative day with their estranged father. It explores memory, absence, and identity through bold storytelling and intimate cinematography.

On 19th September, the film will be released in cinemas across Nigeria through FilmOne Entertainment. This homecoming is a celebration of the incredible local talent that has catapulted the film to the global stage. The entire film was shot in Nigeria with a crew that was over 80% Nigerian. Its cast includes leading man Ṣọpẹ Dìrísù and real-life brothers Godwin Egbo and Chibuike Marvellous Egbo, who were discovered through a street casting initiative by Fatherland Productions.

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With Nigeria as its first market for wide theatrical release, My Father’s Shadow ushers in a new wave of Nigerian cinema. Its global critical acclaim indicates the world’s growing appetite for Nigerian stories and shows homegrown films can compete on the world stage without sacrificing their roots. Shot on 16mm grain across six weeks in Lagos and Oyo, the film’s production enriched the local ecosystem. Its success is a testament to Nigeria’s wealth of skill, creativity, and technical expertise.

Director Akinola Davies Jr. and writer Wale Davies say:

“Making My Father’s Shadow in Nigeria was one of the most fulfilling experiences of our careers, and we are incredibly proud and excited to begin its global theatrical journey here at home. It’s a nostalgic love letter to our childhoods that was crafted lovingly with our actors and crew. We can’t wait to see how Nigerian audiences interpret the film.”

My Father’s Shadow was produced by award-winning Lagos-based production company Fatherland in association with Element Pictures and Crybaby. It was co-financed by BBC Film and the BFI. Fremantle and Electric Theatre Collective are also partners on the project. Executive producers are Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe for Element Pictures, Eva Yates for BBC Film, and Ama Amapadu for the BFI. Ṣọpẹ Dìrísù, Wale Davies, and Akinola Davies Jr. also act as executive producers