The Doha Film Institute (DFI) and Vox Cinemas have teamed up to bring “My Father’s Shadow” to audiences in Qatar. This Nigerian drama broke new ground in 2025 as the first Nigerian film ever to make Cannes’ Official Selection. Bringing it to local screens fits right into what DFI has been doing for a while now, introducing acclaimed international films to the region and giving a platform to fresh voices from the Global South.
“My Father’s Shadow” marks the feature film debut of Nigerian-British filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr. It premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes 2025, becoming the first Nigerian production ever included in the festival’s Official Selection. The film also earned a Special Mention for the Caméra d’Or, a recognition given to standout directorial debuts.
Set against Nigeria’s 1993 presidential election, the film follows two brothers through one day in Lagos with their estranged father — a day neither of them will forget. At its core, it’s a story about family, identity, and memory, set against the backdrop of a country teetering on the edge. Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù stars as Folarin, joined by newcomers Godwin Chiemerie Egbo and Chibuike Marvellous Egbo.
The screenplay was co-written by Akinola Davies Jr. and his brother Wale Davies, with Element Pictures, Fatherland Productions, BBC Film, the British Film Institute, and Crybaby handling production. Shot on location in Lagos, cinematographer Jermaine Edwards used 16mm film to bring the atmosphere of early-1990s Nigeria to life.
The film has been racking up praise ever since Cannes. It also won a BAFTA for Outstanding Debut and picked up nods at the British Independent Film Awards and Gotham Independent Film Awards.
