Keypoints:
- UK submits Nigerian story My Father’s Shadow for Oscars
- Akinola Davies Jr bridges Nigerian and British cinema
- Film explores Nigeria’s tense 1993 election crisis
IN a historic milestone, My Father’s Shadow, a Nigerian film directed by Nigerian-British filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr, has become the first Nigerian story submitted by the United Kingdom for consideration in the Best International Feature category at the 98th Academy Awards.
Davies announced the groundbreaking submission, describing it as proof of how storytelling increasingly transcends borders.
‘We are so proud to be telling this Nigerian story,’ Davies said in a statement. ‘To stand alongside others in the international feature category that curate local-to-global stories reminds us that diversity in storytelling thrives through the power of collaboration.’
A journey through Nigeria’s turbulent past
Set over the course of a single day, My Father’s Shadow follows two young boys travelling with their estranged father from a quiet rural village to Lagos. Their journey unfolds amid the chaos of Nigeria’s 1993 election crisis — one of the nation’s most politically charged moments.
Davies said the film’s landscape — both physical and emotional — is charged with unease, reflection and hope, mirroring a country at a crossroads.
From Cannes acclaim to Oscar recognition
The film premiered earlier this year at the Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section, where it drew critical praise for its compelling visual language and emotional power.
A special BAFTA selection committee hailed the production — which features dialogue in Yoruba, Pidgin and English — for its ‘bold, authentic voice in contemporary cinema’.
Strong performances and cultural resonance
My Father’s Shadow stars British-Nigerian actor Sope Dirisu alongside child actors and siblings Godwin Egbo and Chibuike Egbo. Released in Nigeria by FilmOne on September 19, the film continues to draw audiences for its striking cinematography and emotional depth.
The Oscar shortlist for Best International Feature will be announced on December 16, with the final five nominees unveiled on January 22.
