British-Nigerian filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr. has secured a nomination in the Breakthrough Director category at the 2025 Gotham Film Awards for his feature debut My Father’s Shadow. The recognition follows a series of significant milestones for the film, reinforcing its position as one of the standout Nigerian cinema achievements of the year.
Cannes Groundbreaker & Firsts for Nigerian Cinema
My Father’s Shadow premiered in the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival in May 2025, becoming the first Nigerian-backed feature film to be selected for the festival’s official lineup. At Cannes it also received a Special Mention for the Caméra d’Or, the prize awarded for first features by the festival jury.
In addition, the film’s international trajectory continued as the United Kingdom selected it as its official submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the Academy Awards (Oscars) – a strategic move that underscores its cross-national production and British-Nigerian identity.
The Film: Story, Production & Distribution
My Father’s Shadow is set in Nigeria during the 1993 presidential election crisis and follows two young brothers who spend a pivotal day in Lagos with their estranged father. The screenplay is co-written by Akinola Davies Jr. and his brother Wale Davies.
The film stars Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù as Folarin, the father, with Godwin Chimerie Egbo and Chibuike Marvellous Egbo as the young brothers.
Production credits include Element Pictures, Fatherland Productions, BBC Film, BFI and Crybaby, with distribution in Nigeria handled by FilmOne Entertainment and in territories such as the UK and North America via MUBI.
In our earlier review, we stated that the film “rewards viewers who cherish introspective dramas, its sub-text and atmosphere offering emotional depth.”
Gotham Nomination: The Latest Recognition
The Gotham Film Awards have nominated Akinola Davies Jr. in the Breakthrough Director category for 2025, adding to the film’s awards pedigree and bringing further global visibility. The nomination is significant not just for the director, but for the broader Nigerian film industry, as it showcases a home-grown story resonating in international award circles.
The winner of the Breakthrough Director award will be announced at the 35th edition of the Gotham Film Awards, scheduled for 1 December 2025 in New York City.
Why This Matters for Nollywood & African Cinema
The steady accumulation of major festival selections, awards recognition and global submissions positions My Father’s Shadow as a landmark for Nigerian cinema. With its trajectory from Cannes to the Oscars submission and now the Gotham nomination, the film exemplifies how Nigerian storytellers are navigating global platforms and expanding the reach of their craft.
This path signals the growing importance of festival strategy, international co-production and auteur-driven narratives.
About The Author
