Nigerian Film To Premiere At Cannes Film Festival
Nigeria has made history at the Cannes Film Festival with the selection of “My Father’s Shadow”, directed by Akinola Davies Jr., as part of the festival’s Official Selection. This marks the first time a Nigerian film has been included in this prestigious lineup.
The film, co-written with Davies’ brother Wale Davies, stars Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù (“Slow Horses,” “Gangs of London”) and is set in Lagos after the 1993 presidential election, following a father and his two sons as they navigate the chaos of the time.
Reacting to the announcement, Davies Jr.’ said “This is a testament to everyone dedicated to telling authentic Nigerian stories: from crews to the countless technicians who power our film industry.
“It honours 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.”
Co-producer and founder of Fatherland Productions CEO Funmbi Ogunbanwo also said “It’s an incredible feeling to see our fully Nigerian story rooted in Wale and Akin’s experience of losing their father at a young age come to life on a world stage.
“We wove in Yoruba, Pidgin, familiar street names from Lagos and Ibadan, capturing the essence of our home. I feel both excitement and a weight of responsibility, representing independent Nigerian filmmakers who create against the odds. We hope people who watch this film will discover who we are as a people, understand where we come from, and see that this is only the start of how far our stories can go.”
Produced by Element Pictures, Fatherland Productions, and Crybaby, the film was picked up by distributor MUBI even before its Cannes debut was announced, showing strong international interest. It will be screened in the Un Certain Regard category, which highlights emerging filmmakers.
Beyond the film’s recognition, Nigeria will have a strong presence at Cannes this year, with the country’s pavilion at the festival promoting Screen Nigeria, an initiative aiming to create 2 million jobs and boost the creative and tourism industries.
The 2025 Cannes Film Festival runs from May 13-24, in Cannes France, and it is also the 78th edition with “My Father’s Shadow” expected to showcase Nigerian cinema’s growing influence worldwide.
CNN
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