After nearly 80 years, a Nigerian movie has finally made it into the official selection of the Cannes Film Festival a major milestone for Nollywood. The historic moment marks a shift from the usual narrative surrounding Nigeria’s film industry, long mocked for producing “cheap and cheerful” content. The screening of My Father’s Shadow this Sunday puts Nollywood on the global arthouse cinema map for the first time, proving that Nigerian film has grown beyond its past limitations.
Nollywood’s Image Transforms
For years, Nollywood was seen as a noisy machine churning out love stories, religious dramas, and village witchcraft thrillers at lightning speed. Many were made on laughable budgets using camcorders and edited in living rooms.
Though Nollywood produces more films than Hollywood, global recognition remained elusive. But that’s changing. The Cannes spotlight isn’t a joke. According to Prince Baba Agba, a cultural advisor to President Tinubu, My Father’s Shadow getting into the Cannes competition shows Nigerian cinema has matured.
Set during the infamous 1993 coup, the film follows two young boys in Lagos watching democracy disappear overnight. It features British-Nigerian actor Sope Dirisu and reflects the shattered hopes of an entire generation.
This isn’t a random stroke of luck. Other recent examples include Editi Effiong’s The Black Book, which dominated Netflix rankings globally, and Eyimofe, which landed on the prestigious Criterion Collection. “We’re now seeing stories told with the full heart and spirit of Nigeria,” Agba added.
Local Challenges, Global Breakthroughs
Nollywood may be finally getting its global applause, but the battle is far from over. Nigerian filmmakers still face major distribution problems beyond Africa. Platforms like Netflix and Amazon once flirted with the industry, but both have slowed their momentum. Netflix picked up Blood Sisters and Man of God, but sources in Cannes reveal they’re no longer investing aggressively. Amazon even shut down its African division altogether. Despite this, Mo Abudu of Ebonylife is not waiting for foreign saviours. “We will start small and build,” she said, announcing her own streaming platform and a new cultural hub in London.
The industry also suffers from poor infrastructure. Agba revealed Nigeria has only 150 cinema screens, while Brazil, with a similar population, has over 3,000. Most Nigerians still watch films on phones, battling poor mobile networks. But new tax breaks for filmmakers, currently in Nigeria’s parliament, could change things. They might just be the push Nollywood needs to scale up both quality and international presence.
Still, amid the chaos and limitations, Nigerian filmmakers have managed to produce million-dollar masterpieces and $10,000 passion projects. Each one is powered by that unique Nigerian spirit. And now, with My Father’s Shadow at Cannes, the world is finally watching.
Nigerian Film Finally Breaks Into Cannes Official Selection
The screening of My Father’s Shadow in Cannes’ official lineup is more than just a win. It’s proof that Nigerian cinema, once dismissed, now commands global respect. Nollywood’s evolution is no longer a local tale it’s a global conversation. With increasing international recognition, local innovation, and persistent resilience, Nigerian film is finally stepping out of the shadows and into the spotlight. The headline is no longer a dream a Nigerian film finally breaks into Cannes official selection.
