My Father’s Shadow is back in the awards season race, this time at the NAACP Image Awards. Directed and written by Akinola Davies Jr in his feature film debut, the film has secured a nomination in the Outstanding International Motion Picture category, standing as the only Nigerian film representing the country.
The film will face stiff competition from other notable international titles that have made waves globally, including Zoey Martinson’s The Fisherman, the breakthrough French production Souleymane’s Story, Brazil’s film festival favourite The Secret Agent, which recently won awards at the Golden Globes, and the Canadian post-apocalyptic thriller 40 Acres.
Set against the backdrop of Nigeria’s politically tense 1993 presidential election, My Father’s Shadow follows two brothers as they spend a pivotal day with their estranged father. The film stars Sope Dirisu, alongside Godwin Chiemerie Egbo and Chibuike Marvellous Egbo. It premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section, making history as the first Nigerian film selected for the festival’s Official Selection. The film later premiered in Nigerian cinemas in September 2025 to widespread critical acclaim.
Since its release, My Father’s Shadow has earned multiple accolades, including a British Independent Film Award and two Gotham Independent Film Awards. Streaming platform MUBI acquired the film’s distribution rights for North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Turkey, further expanding its global reach and strengthening its awards-season presence.
Other Nigerian acts that appeared on the NAACP nominations list include the breakthrough animated series Iyanu which secured three nominations: Outstanding Children’s Program, Outstanding Animated Series, and Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie, Documentary, or Special.
Afrobeats artistes Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Tyla, Davido, and Omah Lay will also battle it out in the Outstanding International Song category as they secured nominations.
The 2026 NAACP Image Awards will be held on February 28, 2026, with actor and comedian Deon Cole set to host. The annual award ceremony celebrates excellence and achievement by Black creatives across film, music, television, documentary, podcasting, reality television, and digital content creation. Dedicated to championing representation and visibility within the Black community, this year’s theme, “We See You,” reflects that mission.
On the overall nominations list, Ryan Coogler’s vampire thriller Sinners leads with eighteen nominations, including Outstanding Motion Picture. Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest follows closely with nine nominations. Among individual nominees, Teyana Taylor and Kendrick Lamar lead with six nominations each, while Cardi B, Leon Thomas, and Cynthia Erivo received four nominations apiece.
View the full nominations list for the NAACP Image Awards here.
