From My Father’s Shadow to Osamede, a look at the Nigerian films that might have represented us at the Oscars.
Oscars 2026: The Nigerian Films That Could Have Made the Cut
2025 was a year of growth for Nollywood, both at home and abroad. Local productions held their own in cinemas alongside global releases, while Nigerian filmmakers made historic strides on the international stage. Akinola Davis Jr’s My Father’s Shadow earned a coveted spot in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section, and Idris Elba’s Dust to Dreams premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
Yet, in a surprising turn, the Nigerian Official Selection Committee (NOSC) announced that no film will be submitted for the International Feature Film category at the 2026 Academy Awards. NOSC chairperson Stephanie Linus revealed that six films were considered, but the committee ultimately voted for “No Submission,” citing a lack of creative and technical intentionality needed to compete globally.
Nigeria has previously submitted acclaimed titles such as C.J. Obasi’s Mami Wata and Prince Aboki’s Mai Martaba, but this year, the Oscars will miss out on a fresh wave of bold, passionate Nigerian storytelling.
Still, 2025 wasn’t short on world-class filmmaking. Here are the titles that could easily have carried Nigeria’s flag at the Oscars.
In Akinola Davis Jr.’s moving film, two young brothers embark on a poignant journey through Lagos alongside their estranged father, set against the backdrop of the 1993 Nigerian election crisis. As political unrest simmers, they navigate the vastness of the city and confront the quiet weight of their father’s daily struggles.
This soulful coming-of-age story delves into themes of love, absence, and fractured family bonds, brought to life by powerful performances from Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, Godwin Egbo, and Chibuike Marvellous Egbo. Its inclusion on this shortlist is undeniable. My Father’s Shadow is now showing in cinemas.
In his feature directorial debut, Afolabi Olalekan delivers a gripping drama that follows two ambitious software developers, Themba and Tayo, as they launch Easy Go—a rideshare app they’ve built after years of relentless effort. Their elation quickly unravels as they face the harsh realities of navigating Nigeria’s regulatory landscape, from oppressive laws to police brutality.
Starring Mike Afolarin, Adebowale Adedayo, Femi Jacobs, Meg Otanwa, and Bimbo Akintola, the film captures the tension between innovation and systemic resistance. Freedom Way premiered at TIFF 2024, screened at the Red Sea International Film Festival, and won the Jury Award at AFRIFF. It also swept three categories at the 2025 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, including Best Film. The film opened in cinemas in May.
Osamede is an epic historical fantasy set in a colonized Benin Kingdom, where politics, mystery, and magic collide. The story follows a young orphaned girl whose life takes a dramatic turn after she’s attacked by mine guards, unleashing mysterious superhuman powers. She soon learns she is the bearer of the Aruosa stone—a sacred relic gifted to mankind by Osanobua.
As unrest brews across the kingdom, Osamede embarks on a transformative journey to uncover her true origin and rise as the hero her people desperately need. Directed by James Omokwe, the film features standout performances from Ivie Okujaye, William Benson, Tosin Adeyemi, and Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen. After premiering at the 2025 Cannes Film Market, Osamede is set to hit cinemas this October.
Son of Soil follows Zion, a former Special Ops soldier who returns home after his sister’s death—only to find himself entangled in a collision course with a ruthless cartel and corrupt power. His mission is to seek justice, find redemption, and confront the ghosts he tried to leave behind.
The film recently won three prizes at the 2025 Black Star International Film Festival. It features Razaaq Adoti, Ireti Doyle, Patience Ozokwor, Sharon Rotimi, Taye Arimoro, and Sunshine Rosman, all delivering standout performances. Directed by Chee Keong Cheung, Son of Soil is set for theatrical release soon.
Directed by Daniel Etim Effiong in his feature debut, The Herd is a crime-thriller drama that unravels the chaos erupting on what should have been a joyous wedding day. As love and family gather under one roof, buried secrets surface, loyalties fracture, and survival becomes the only goal.
Featuring a powerhouse cast—including Genoveva Umeh, Kunle Remi, Tina Mba, Deyemi Okanlawon, Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman, and Norbert Young—the film delivers high-stakes drama with emotional intensity. The Herd also screened at the 2025 Cannes Film Market and is set for theatrical release soon.
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Kachifo (Till the Morning Comes)
Kachifo is an upcoming romance written and directed by Dika Ofoma and produced by Blessing Uzzi. Set against the backdrop of cultural and religious resistance, the film tells a powerful story of enduring love that defies societal norms in Nigeria, where same-sex relationships remain deeply stigmatized.
The project has already earned international acclaim, winning three major awards at the Locarno Film Festival’s Open Doors program in August—the Open Doors Grant, the ARTEKino International Award, and the Sørfond Award.
Ofoma, known for God’s Wife and Something Sweet, brings a bold storytelling style and emotional precision that mark him as a director to watch. Kachifo stands as a tender yet defiant exploration of love’s resilience in the face of adversity.
Written and directed by Idris Elba in partnership with EbonyLife’s Mo Abudu, Dust to Dreams unfolds in the vibrant heart of Lagos. It follows a dying nightclub owner who entrusts her legacy to her reserved daughter. When a long-absent soldier father returns, buried tensions resurface—but music becomes the thread that binds them.
The film unites the family and breathes life back into the legendary club. Its cast features Nse Ikpe-Etim, Eku Edewor, Atlanta Bridget Johnson, Constance Olatunde, and a special appearance by Seal. Dust to Dreams premiered at TIFF 2025, with release details yet to be announced.
If Nigeria had submitted, Akinola Davis Jr’s My Father’s Shadow might have stood the brightest chance.