For the first time in its nearly 80-year history, a fully Nigerian production is heading to the Official Selection at the Cannes Film Festival—and it’s about time.
Akinola Davies Jr.’s My Father’s Shadow will make its world premiere this May at the 78th edition of the festival, screening under the prestigious Un Certain Regard category—a section dedicated to fresh voices and boundary-pushing storytelling. And yes, it’s a big deal.
The film stars Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù (Slow Horses, Gangs of London) and is co-written by Davies Jr. and his brother, Wale Davies. Set in the heated aftermath of Nigeria’s 1993 presidential election, the story follows a father and his two sons as they journey across Lagos during a day filled with emotional landmines and political upheaval. It’s part intimate family drama, part historical reckoning—and all heart.
Shortly after the Cannes announcement, Davies took to Instagram to reflect on the moment:
“Well that escalated quickly! Spent the day humbled in nature with a good friend and super happy for the whole team. Appreciate all the love and support. Means the world.
I’m sure over the life span of this film there will be many gushing messages but just to say I been proud of what we made since we made it and I’m filled with pride, joy and grateful that the blessings are extending to everyone involved—truly I may captain the ship but there are so many hands that help us navigate our best course. They are the real stars of the show!
What an honour to bring Nigeria to @festivaldecannes—what an honour to have done it with my real family and film family in the city I grew up in. We just want to tell our stories and remind people who they are.
The crazy thing is how excited I’ll be when you all get see what we made and for everyone to come on this journey with us. Absolutely epic scenes.”
The film, which is said to be semi-autobiographical, was shot across Lagos and Ibadan and weaves in Yoruba, Nigerian Pidgin, and familiar West African rhythms—both literal and metaphorical. And even before Cannes came knocking, global distributor MUBI had already acquired rights for key territories including North America, the UK, and Turkey, signaling the film’s cross-border appeal.
Funmbi Ogunbanwo, CEO of Fatherland Productions and one of the producers of the film, summed up the moment to CNN:
“We hope people who watch this film will discover who we are as a people, understand where we come from, and see that this is only the start of how far our stories can go.”
Produced by Ogunbanwo alongside Rachel Dargavel of Element Pictures (the company behind Normal People and Poor Things), My Father’s Shadow marks a cultural and creative turning point—not just for Davies, but for Nigeria’s entire film ecosystem. Davies’ previous short film, Lizard, won at Sundance and was BAFTA-nominated. Now, he’s stepping onto cinema’s most elite global stage.
Nigeria’s Presence at Cannes Is Bigger Than One Film
Nigeria’s not just pulling up to Cannes with a film—they’re showing up with a plan. The country will also have its own national pavilion at the International Village this year. The Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy is using the opportunity to launch Screen Nigeria, part of a sweeping “Destination 2030: Nigeria Everywhere” campaign. The goal? Two million jobs, $100 billion added to GDP, and a global creative footprint that can’t be ignored.
Lagos State has been quick to throw its weight behind the project, with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Commissioner Toke Benson-Awoyinka publicly praising the film’s breakthrough. The Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture both backed the production—adding another layer of homegrown support to this momentous milestone.
Even Nigeria’s federal Minister of Culture, Hannatu Musa Musawa, called the Cannes selection a landmark moment for the country’s cinema and a clear reminder of “what is possible when homegrown talent is nurtured, empowered, and given the space to shine.”
Africa on the Global Stage
Nigeria won’t be alone on the Croisette. Other African stories will be taking up space in Cannes’ 2025 lineup. Egypt’s Morad Mostafa brings Aisha Can’t Fly Away, and Tunisia’s Erige Sehiri is screening Promised Sky, both in Un Certain Regard. South African filmmaker Oliver Hermanus is debuting The History of Sound, starring Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor. And Tarik Saleh’s Eagles of the Republic—about an Egyptian actor’s fall from grace—is in the running for the Palme d’Or.
But My Father’s Shadow is a first in a very specific and overdue way. While Francophone African cinema has long had a seat at Cannes—thanks to legends like Djibril Diop Mambéty, Souleymane Cissé, and Mahamat-Saleh Haroun—Nigeria’s Nollywood, despite being one of the most prolific film industries in the world, has rarely cracked this particular echelon.
Now that door is open.
What’s Next?
The official screening date for My Father’s Shadow at Cannes is still under wraps, as is its theatrical release. But the buzz is building. Between the international recognition, the industry momentum, and Nigeria’s Cannes pavilion, this is shaping up to be a pivotal year for Nollywood—and African cinema as a whole.
So when we talk about global film now, let’s be clear: Nigeria isn’t waiting for a seat at the table. They’re building their own.