Akinola Davies Jr.’s “My Father’s Shadow” secures a coveted spot at the Cannes Film Festival, marking a historic moment for Nigerian cinema after nearly 80 years

For the first time in almost eight decades, a Nigerian film has been selected to compete at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. Akinola Davies Jr.’s “My Father’s Shadow” will feature in the festival’s 2025 edition, screening in the esteemed Un Certain Regard category between May 13 and 24, 2025, festival organisers announced on Thursday.

Set in Lagos against the backdrop of the pivotal 1993 presidential election, “My Father’s Shadow” is directed by Akinola Davies Jr. and produced by Fatherland Productions, led by Funmbi Ogunbanwo and Wale Davies. The film was chosen from over 2,900 feature film entries for the 2025 festival lineup.

Reacting to this historic selection, the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, extended her congratulations to the filmmaker and his team. She hailed the achievement as a landmark moment for Nigerian storytelling on the global stage.

“This momentous achievement is not only a personal milestone for Akinola Davies and the remarkable team at Fatherland Productions, but also a landmark moment for Nigerian cinema,” Musawa stated. “’My Father’s Shadow’ stands as a powerful testament to what is possible when homegrown talent is nurtured, empowered, and given the space to shine.”

She emphasised that the film, featuring a predominantly Nigerian cast and crew, effectively showcases the richness of Nigerian narratives and the country’s vibrant cultural identity.

The Minister also commended Fatherland Productions for their consistent dedication to African storytelling, which has previously garnered recognition from BAFTA and the Sundance Film Festival.

“As we prepare to support ‘My Father’s Shadow’ and its creators at Cannes through Screen Nigeria—our national platform for promoting Nigeria’s audiovisual industry—we are reminded of the importance of initiatives like Destination 2030: Nigeria Everywhere,” Musawa added.

She explained that this initiative forms part of a broader soft power strategy aimed at exporting Nigerian creative products and elevating the voices of talents like Akinola, Funmbi, and Wale on the global stage.

The Ministry is also scheduled to officially launch the Screen Nigeria platform at the 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival, as a key component of the Destination 2030: Nigeria Everywhere campaign. This platform is designed to spotlight Nigeria’s burgeoning audiovisual sector and its wealth of creative talent.