For the first time in nearly eight decades, a Nigerian film is breaking barriers and earning global recognition at the world’s most prestigious film festival.
‘My Father’s Shadow,’ directed by Nigerian-British filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr., has been officially selected to compete at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, making history for Nigerian cinema. Set in Lagos in the aftermath of the pivotal 1993 presidential election, the film will premiere in the Un Certain Regard category—a section dedicated to bold new voices and rising global talents.
Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, hailed the milestone as a defining moment for Nigerian storytelling. She described the film’s selection as a celebration of “homegrown talent, creative excellence, and cultural pride.”
“This isn’t just a personal win for Akinola Davies and the Fatherland Productions team—it’s a victory for every Nigerian creative with a dream,” Musawa said. “This film reflects the beauty, power, and global relevance of our stories.”
The feature is part of a lineup culled from over 2,900 global entries and represents a growing international recognition of African narratives. Backed by Fatherland Productions, led by Funmbi Ogunbanwo and Wale Davies, the film boasts a predominantly Nigerian cast and crew.
Musawa also praised the team’s storytelling legacy, noting previous accolades at BAFTA and Sundance Film Festival. She emphasized that the Cannes nod cements Nigeria as a creative force on the global stage.
In tandem with this major win, the minister is set to unveil “Screen Nigeria”—a key initiative under the Destination 2030: Everywhere campaign—at the 78th Cannes Festival. The project is aimed at positioning Nigeria’s audiovisual industry for global impact, investment, and collaboration.
This historic Cannes selection not only amplifies Nigerian voices but marks a new era of cultural storytelling and international recognition.
