Family, Lagos & Legacy—“My Father’s Shadow” Takes Nigeria to Cannes

Nollywood is really doing things this year! For the first time ever, a Nigerian fiction film has been selected for the prestigious Cannes Film Festival’s official lineup. Yep, you heard that right. A film titled “My Father’s Shadow”, directed by Akinola Davies Jr., will premiere in the Un Certain Regard section of the 2025 edition of the festival, which runs from May 13 to 24.

Now, this is a big deal—not just for the director and cast, but for the entire Nigerian film industry. Cannes is not beans. It’s the global cinema elite. And for a homegrown story to get picked? That’s history being written right before our eyes.

What’s the Story About?

Set in the heat of the 1993 Nigerian presidential election, the film follows two young brothers spending the day in Lagos with their estranged father. Sounds simple, right? But from what we’ve gathered, it dives deep into themes like identity, family trauma, and that very Nigerian father-son dynamic.

Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù is leading the cast (yes, that same British-Nigerian actor who’s been killing it lately), and the film was produced by Nigeria’s Fatherland Productions in collaboration with the UK’s Element Pictures. It even got support from BBC Film and the British Film Institute (BFI). Love that for us.

And Lagos? The film was shot right here, so you already know we’re getting raw visuals and authentic energy.

Nollywood to the World—But What Took So Long?

People have been asking: with all the powerful stories we’ve been telling for decades, why is this the first Nigerian fiction film to make Cannes’ official selection? Good question.

Are our stories finally being recognised or are we just getting better at telling them in a “global festival format”? And should we even care about that format or just keep telling our stories our own way?

So, What Do You Think?

Is this a turning point for Nigerian cinema or just a lucky moment? Do you think My Father’s Shadow will inspire more local filmmakers to aim for global platforms, or will this just be a one-off headline?

Let’s talk—Nollywood’s finally getting its Cannes flowers. But are we ready to water the garden?