Multiple Award Winning Movie Classic, My Father’s Shadow Sets For Return To Nigerian Cinemas

The film became historic as the first Nigerian film ever selected for the official lineup at the Cannes Film Festival and it is set in Lagos during the tense 1993 Nigerian election crisis. It follows two young brothers who spend a rare day with their estranged father, Folarin, as political unrest slowly grows around them. The journey through Lagos becomes emotional, personal, and symbolic of both family struggles and Nigeria’s uncertain future.

This concept and idea for this film project was developed by the two brothers Akinola Davies Jr and Wale Davies as far back as over a whole decade, something about excellent art taking time and effort with immense dedication and depth. The brothers drew their inspiration from the demise of their father when they were still really young.

Wale put pen to paper for the first draft of the movie script in 2012, exactly 14 years ago and it focused majorly on two brothers, two characters spending a day in Lagos state with their father on the day of Nigeria’s historic 1994 presidential elections, which is now widely regarded as a turning point in Nigeria’s contemporary history.

The movie can be described as semi-autobiographical, inspired by the childhood experiences of Akinola Davies Jr. and his brother Wale Davies losing their father at a young age. Critics have praised the film for its emotional depth, beautiful cinematography, and authentic portrayal of Lagos life.

The film was produced by Element Pictures in association with Crybaby and Fatherland Productions. It was developed by the BBC Film, who were a co-financier and the budget is estimated to be around £2.5million ($3.4 million).

The film mixes family drama, political history, coming-of-age storytelling with memory and grief and many viewers praised how realistically it captured the energy, chaos, and emotion of Lagos. Reddit users especially highlighted its “sensory texture” and emotional storytelling. It went on to premiere at Cannes in May 2025 and in Nigerian cinemas in September 2025.

But it somehow felt like the publicity for the film was below par as many Nigerians claimed to have not seen the film especially when it bagged several awards at the 12th edition of the African Magic Viewers Choice Awards 2026 (AMVCA). Way before the award night, popular movie projects like To Kill A Monkey, Ginger, The Herd, dominated conversations online but My Father’s Shadow quietly swept through the categories that night clinching five awards including the night’s biggest category, Best Movie.

My Father’s Shadow also won Best Director for Akinola Davies Jr., Best Writing in a Movie for Wale Davies amongst others. Now according to a recent post on their Instagram page, following widespread public demand, the movie will make a return to Nigerian cinemas come 5th June 2026 for a special limited re-release.

Initially released in 16 states across the country from September to October 2025, Nigeria was the first country in the world to show the film widely in cinemas.

The movie received major international recognition:

British-Nigerian actor Sopé Dirisu plays the lead as Folarin, the father and he explores the fatherhood theme really well in his immersive portrayal.

For those that didn’t get on the train initially, the train has made a return, My Father’s Shadow returns to cinemas next month from June 5th. Art is beautiful and it deserves enormous recognition and appreciation.