British‑Nigerian filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr’s debut feature film, My Father’s Shadow, has begun screening in cinemas across the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, Canada, Italy and Spain.
The rollout follows the film’s exclusion from this year’s Academy Awards International Feature Film shortlist.
The drama is set against the backdrop of the political upheaval after Nigeria’s annulled 1993 presidential election. It tells the story of two young boys who spend a single day in Lagos with their estranged father, Folarin, as they try to reconnect and understand his life and choices.
Directed by Davies Jr and written by Wale Davies, the film stars Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù as Folarin, with Godwin Egbo and Chibuike Marvellous Egbo as the two brothers Aki and Remi.
Reacting to the film’s absence from the Oscars shortlist, Davies Jr said, “Every one of them carries its own truth, and it’s an honour to be in conversation with that work.” He also expressed gratitude to supporters, adding, “Thank you BAFTA for your belief in the film’s support. ‘My Father’s Shadow’ is carried by so many hands.”
My Father’s Shadow made history earlier in its release run. It had its world premiere in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where it received a Special Mention from the Caméra d’Or jury for best first feature. That recognition marked a milestone for the film on the international stage.
The film also had notable festival screenings after its Cannes debut. It was shown in the Centrepiece section at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2025 and competed at the International Film Festival of India, where it won the Silver Peacock Special Jury Award.
My Father’s Shadow was released in Nigerian cinemas on 19 September 2025, marking its homecoming after gaining attention on the festival circuit. Nigerian distributors including FilmOne and Filmhouse Group worked to bring the film to screens in Nigeria and across West Africa.
The film’s crew was largely Nigerian, with more than 80 percent of the production team and cast connected to the local creative sector, helping boost employment and visibility for talent on the continent.
In addition to Davies Jr’s festival success, My Father’s Shadow has been recognised by industry bodies. The director won Best Director at the 2025 British Independent Film Awards, and the film earned a nomination for best debut feature at the BAFTAs.
