Minister of art, culture, and the creative economy, Hannatu Musawa, has celebrated the historic achievement of My Father’s Shadow, the first Nigerian film to be officially selected for screening at the Cannes Film Festival.
Directed by Akinola Davies Jr. and based on a screenplay by his brother, Wale Davies, My Father’s Shadow was screened in the Un Certain Regard section on Sunday, May 18. The landmark achievement distinguishes the film from other Nigerian productions typically showcased at the Marché du Film or the Nigerian Pavilion during the festival.
Musawa attended the screening at Théâtre Debussy, the second-largest venue in the Palais des Festivals, where the semi-autobiographical tale unfolded against the backdrop of Lagos during the June 12, 1993, election crisis.
In a social media post on Tuesday, the minister expressed her pride in witnessing the groundbreaking moment for Nigerian cinema.
“One of the most special moments was celebrating My Father’s Shadow, the first Nigerian film to be officially selected at the Cannes Film Festival,” she wrote. “I joined the amazing team at their screening, standing with them not just as a Minister, but as someone who deeply believes in the power of our stories.”
Musawa emphasised the broader significance of the achievement, saying, “This wasn’t just about one film. It was a moment for Nigerian cinema and for the entire creative industry back home. It showed the world that our voices matter and that they’re being heard.”
Set during a single day in 1993, My Father’s Shadow follows two brothers as their absent father, portrayed by Gangs of London star Sope Dirisu, returns unannounced to take them to Lagos. The father’s desperate attempt to recover money owed by his employer unfolds amid the political unrest following the annulment of the June 12 presidential election won by Moshood Abiola.
Newcomers and real-life brothers Godwin Egbo and Chibuike Marvellous Egbo deliver stirring performances as the young siblings. The film has been picked up for distribution by the global streaming platform Mubi.
Musawa highlighted the significance of the Nigerian Pavilion at Cannes, last featured in 2012, as a platform to showcase Nigerian talent and innovation, saying, “The Pavilion exists to open doors. To put a spotlight on our talent. And to remind the world that Nigeria isn’t just participating, we’re creating, leading, and redefining the narrative.”
While My Father’s Shadow made history as part of the official selection, another Nigerian production, Izu Ojukwu’s 77: The Festac Conspiracy, is screening at the Marché du Film, a marketplace for buying and selling film rights. The star-studded cast includes Ramsey Nouah, Rita Dominic, Ibinabo Fiberesima, and Daniel K. Daniel. However, it is not part of the festival’s official selection.
This year marks Nigeria’s official return to the Cannes Film Festival after a decade-long absence since 2013. The country’s flag was first hoisted in 2007 when the Nigeria Film Corporation (NFC) unveiled the Nigeria Pavilion under the leadership of then-managing director Afolabi Adesanya. The pavilion was designed as a hub for Nigerian filmmakers, journalists, and other festival participants to network and showcase their work.
Subsequent NFC managing directors attributed their inability to put up a pavilion to funding constraints.
