CANNES, France, May 19 — My Father’s Shadow, a semi-autobiographical drama by Nigerian-British filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr., has made history as Nigeria’s first official selection at the Cannes Film Festival. The film is competing in the “Un Certain Regard” category, which spotlights fresh voices and unique storytelling.
Set over a single day in 1993, the story follows two young brothers whose estranged father suddenly reappears and takes them on a tense trip to Lagos. Sope Dirisu, known for his role in Gangs of London, plays the father—a man hoping to recover unpaid wages during a period of political unrest following Nigeria’s annulled democratic elections.
Real-life siblings Godwin Egbo (11) and Chibuike Marvellous Egbo (8) take on the roles of the boys, mirroring the director’s own childhood experiences. Davies co-wrote the script with his brother, Wale, drawing on themes of masculinity, familial expectations, and national identity.
The backdrop of the film mirrors Nigeria’s political uncertainty at the time, with the country brimming with hope that a new leader could bring about change. Davies, who grew up between Lagos and London, said the film explores the fragile yet forceful dynamics of fatherhood and the nation’s search for stability.
British-born actor Dirisu said preparing for the role pushed him to reflect on fatherhood and his Nigerian heritage. “There were a lot of things I had to interrogate for the role, but it was exciting,” he said.
My Father’s Shadow has already earned praise from critics. The Guardian awarded it four out of five stars, describing it as a “subtle and intelligent coming-of-age tale,” while IndieWire gave it a B+ and praised its emotional depth.
The film has been picked up for distribution by the global streaming service Mubi.
Davies said he hopes the film’s presence at Cannes will open more doors for African cinema on the international stage. “African stories are out there,” he said. “They just need access and platforms like Cannes to be seen.”
