Nigeria Makes Historic Cannes Debut in 2025 with Akinola Davies Jr’s ‘My Father’s Shadow’

My Father’s Shadow, directed by Akinola Davies Jr., has been officially selected for the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. This marks the first time a Nigerian film has been included in the festival’s official selection.

Set against the backdrop of the 1993 Nigerian presidential election, My Father’s Shadow follows two young brothers who spend a day in Lagos with their estranged father. The film stars Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù and is a collaborative production between Element Pictures, Fatherland Productions, BBC Film, and the BFI.

In addition to My Father’s Shadow, the Cannes Film Festival has also selected Egyptian director Morad Mostafa’s debut feature, Aisha Can’t Fly Away, for its 2025 lineup.

Aisha Can’t Fly Away tells the story of Aisha, a 26-year-old Somali woman residing in Cairo who faces challenges amid escalating tensions between Egyptians and various African nationalities, delving into migration, identity, and survival themes.

In 2023, Nigerian cinema achieved a significant milestone with C.J. “Fiery” Obasi’s film, Mami Wata.This black-and-white fantasy thriller, rooted in West African folklore, was the first Nigerian film to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.

The historic inclusion of a Nigerian film in Cannes’ official selection underscores the evolving narrative of African cinema on the world stage. The Cannes Film Festival is scheduled from May 13 to 24, 2025.

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