British-Nigerian filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr. has secured two nominations at the 2025 Gotham Film Awards for his feature debut My Father’s Shadow. The acclaimed drama earned nods for Breakthrough Director (Akinola Davies Jr.) and Outstanding Lead Performance (Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù), marking another major recognition in its remarkable festival journey.
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. for Breakthrough Director and Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù for Outstanding Lead Performance, adding to the film’s growing list of international accolades. The nomination is significant not just for the director and lead actor, but for the broader Nigerian film industry, as it showcases a home-grown story resonating in international award circles.
The Gotham Awards — one of the most prestigious platforms spotlighting independent cinema — place Davies and Dìrísù alongside some of the most celebrated emerging talents in world film. The winners will be announced at the 35th Gotham Film Awards ceremony scheduled for 1 December 2025 in New York City.
Why This Matters for Nollywood & African Cinema
The steady accumulation of festival selections, awards nominations, and global submissions positions My Father’s Shadow as a landmark achievement for Nigerian cinema. From its Cannes selection and Oscars submission to its latest recognition at the Gothams, the film illustrates how Nigerian storytellers are expanding their reach on global platforms.
This trajectory highlights the growing importance of festival strategy, international co-production, and auteur-driven narratives in elevating African cinema on the world stage.
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