This is a historic moment: a Nigerian story, shot largely in Nigeria and rooted deeply in Nigerian experience, has been selected as the United Kingdom’s official submission for the 2026 Oscars in the International Feature Film category.
In Nigeria, the National Official Selection Committee (NOSC) reportedly chose not to submit any film this year. Among those considered was My Father’s Shadow — a poignant feature that has now been selected by the UK, making its Oscar journey both remarkable and symbolic.
Directed by Akinola Davies Jr. and co-written with his brother Wale Davies, My Father’s Shadow is a powerful testament that Nigeria can tell deeply personal and universally resonant stories. Co-produced through a collaboration of Nigerian and international partners, the film has drawn attention across global film circles since its debut.
Set in Lagos in 1993, during the tense aftermath of the annulled June 12 presidential election, the film follows two brothers — Remi and Akin — who are taken by their estranged father, Folarin, into the city as he seeks unpaid wages. The father is portrayed by Sope Dirisu, while the brothers are played by Godwin Chimerie Egbo and Chibuike Marvellous Egbo. Cinematography is handled by Jermaine Edwards, and producers include Funmbi Ogunbanwo and Rachel Dargavel, among others.
Shot mostly in Nigeria with a predominantly Nigerian cast and crew, My Father’s Shadow represents a new generation of Nigerian filmmakers who merge local authenticity with global production values.
The film premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section and earned a Caméra d’Or Special Mention for Best First Feature. It was widely praised by both international and Nigerian press outlets, including Time Out and The Guardian, for its emotional power, visual depth, and delicate exploration of themes such as fatherhood, identity, and national memory.
Why This Matters
By situating its narrative in 1993 a defining moment in Nigeria’s political history My Father’s Shadow transcends its family story to speak to a larger national consciousness. It captures the struggle for reconciliation, memory, and identity that mirrors Nigeria’s own political evolution.
The film’s success at Cannes and now its Oscar submission affirm that Nigerian cinema can compete globally in storytelling, technical execution, and artistic impact.
With backing from international entities like BBC Film, BFI, and MUBI, alongside strong Nigerian creative input, the production sets a new benchmark for collaboration between local and global filmmaking communities.
If My Father’s Shadow advances to an Oscar nomination, it could mark a turning point for Nigerian film on the world stage not only for director Akinola Davies Jr. but for a generation of Nigerian creatives seeking to push beyond industry limitations.
Even without a win, the film’s selection itself has already shifted the narrative, proving that Nigerian stories can be told with global excellence and cultural depth.
As noted in the 9am News report, this moment underscores the strength of Nigerian storytelling and the growing recognition of African cinema within the global film community.
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