“My Father’s Shadow” to Premiere at Cannes as Nigeria Joins Official Selection for the First Time

Nigeria has earned a landmark spot on the global film stage, as Akinola Davies Jr. ‘s feature debut “My Father’s Shadow” becomes the first Nigerian film selected for the Official Selection of the Cannes Film Festival.

The film will premiere in the Un Certain Regard section, a category dedicated to emerging voices in world cinema, during the 78th edition of the festival holding from May 13 to 24 in France.

Set in Lagos shortly after the 1993 presidential election, “My Father’s Shadow” follows a father and his sons as they navigate the chaos of a city in political upheaval. The story, co-written by the director and his brother Wale Davies, draws from their own personal experiences, weaving in elements of Yoruba, Pidgin, and familiar Nigerian urban settings.

Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù stars in the lead role, with the film produced by Element Pictures, Fatherland Productions, and Crybaby. MUBI has already acquired distribution rights across North America and several other regions.

Reacting to the announcement, Davies Jr. described the moment as a tribute to Nigerian storytellers and the people who have supported the country’s film culture. “This honours all those past, present, and future who laid the foundation for Nigerian cinema,” he said in a statement. “I’m excited to be an ambassador for arthouse film in Nigeria.”

Fatherland Productions CEO and co-producer Funmbi Ogunbanwo also highlighted the cultural significance of the moment, calling it “an incredible feeling” to bring a Nigerian story to such a prestigious platform. “We hope audiences get to see who we are and where we come from. This is just the beginning,” she said.

Beyond “My Father’s Shadow,” this year’s lineup at Cannes signals a strong showing for African filmmakers. The Un Certain Regard strand will also feature works by directors from Egypt and Tunisia, while the main competition includes a film by Swedish-Egyptian director Tarik Saleh.

Despite being home to the continent’s largest film industry, Nigeria’s presence at Cannes has historically been limited to sidebars. This selection marks what could be a turning point for the industry’s global recognition.

Nigeria is also set to participate in the festival’s international village, where the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy will launch “Screen Nigeria” under the “Destination 2030” campaign, a plan aimed at creating jobs and boosting Nigeria’s GDP through the creative sector.

The official screening date for “My Father’s Shadow” has not yet been announced.