British Nigerian director's film 'My Father's Shadow' makes history

Akinola Davies Jr.'s debut feature explores family memory and Nigerian history

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The British Nigerian director Akinola Davies Jr. and his brother Wale were both toddlers when their father died. As adults, they could hardly remember him. Then Wale had an idea for a movie - what if they had gotten to spend a day with their dad? Their film 'My Father's Shadow' pays tribute to their father in a shattering father-son tale set in Nigeria, and has become one of the most acclaimed films of the past year, making history at the Cannes Film Festival and winning awards around the world.

Why it matters

The film's success represents a milestone for Nigerian cinema, as it was the first Nigerian film to be selected for the Cannes Film Festival's official selection. It showcases the talent and stories that exist within Nigeria's flourishing film industry, known as Nollywood.

The details

In 'My Father's Shadow,' set over a single day in Lagos in 1993, actor Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù plays the brothers' father, Folarin. The young brothers (Chibuike Marvellous Egbo and Godwin Egbo) unexpectedly find him at the family's home outside Lagos, and he takes them on a trip in the city that will be revelatory for the boys. The film evolves as not just a portrait of the director's father, but of a pivotal moment in Nigerian history when democracy was hanging in the balance.

  • The film's Cannes debut was in May 2025.
  • The film is being released in North American theaters on Friday.

The players

Akinola Davies Jr.

The British Nigerian director of 'My Father's Shadow' and the film's co-writer, based on an idea from his brother Wale.

Wale Davies

The brother of Akinola Davies Jr. who had the idea for the film 'My Father's Shadow' and wrote the initial script, which he sent to Akinola in 2012.

Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù

The actor who plays the role of the father, Folarin, in 'My Father's Shadow'.

Chibuike Marvellous Egbo

One of the young actors who plays one of the brothers in 'My Father's Shadow'.

Godwin Egbo

The other young actor who plays the other brother in 'My Father's Shadow'.

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What they’re saying

“It means a lot to people back in Nigeria. It means we can exist on these platforms and our stories can exist in these spaces. It's a testament to talent that's around in Nigeria. It's a testament to the stories that are there. It's a testament to the industry that's flourishing.”

— Akinola Davies Jr., Director of 'My Father's Shadow' (WRAL)

“The Nigerian press asks me a lot if the film is Nollywood or not Nollywood. I would say it is because all the technicians work in Nollywood. You can't borrow people from that whole industry and say it's not part of it.”

— Akinola Davies Jr., Director of 'My Father's Shadow' (WRAL)

What’s next

The film 'My Father's Shadow' is set to be released in North American theaters on Friday.

The takeaway

The success of 'My Father's Shadow' at prestigious film festivals like Cannes and its multiple award wins showcase the talent and stories that exist within Nigeria's thriving film industry, Nollywood, and represent an important milestone for Nigerian cinema on the global stage.