The Nigerian feature film My Father’s Shadow premiered on Wednesday night at the Filmhouse Cinemas IMAX in Lagos, drawing an audience of filmmakers, cultural figures, industry leaders and actors ahead of its nationwide release on September 19, 2025.

The film, directed by Akinola Davies Jr., had earlier broken ground internationally as the first Nigerian production to be selected for the Cannes Film Festival’s Official Selection, where it screened in the Un Certain Regard category. It also earned the Caméra d’Or Special Mention for best debut feature.

Set in Lagos on June 23, 1993, the story follows two brothers who spend the day navigating the city with their estranged father, against the backdrop of the annulled June 12 election.

The screenplay, originally written by Wale Davies as a short film, was expanded into a feature with his brother, Davies Jr., to capture themes of identity, fatherhood and national memory.

Speaking at the premiere, Davies Jr. said the intention was to connect with audiences through familiar experiences while situating the narrative in a pivotal period in Nigeria’s history.

“I hope that audiences will relate to the same things I love in the film – the family, politics, the spirituality, and the psychology: trying to navigate all of these aspects in a mid-nineties Nigerian period drama is what helps make this film unique,” he said. “We’ve tried to make something that is accessible, so that when people watch it, they see a reflection of themselves and experiences that they are familiar with.”

Funmbi Ogunbanwo, producer and CEO of Fatherland, stressed that the portrayal of Lagos was central to the project.

“I am excited for audiences to see Lagos portrayed in this way. Audiences will enjoy the rich tapestry of Nigeria, our people and our language. They will feel the rhythm and the sound of Lagos – the size of Lagos. The journey of these boys with their father through this city ultimately culminates in this rich experience of family,” he said.

FilmOne Entertainment and Filmhouse Group, who are handling the West African release, said the project reflects their commitment to supporting stories with both local and international resonance. Ladun Awobokun, Chief Content Officer of FilmOne, noted: “At FilmOne, our priority is to identify and champion content that is both artistically powerful and culturally relevant. My Father’s Shadow is a deeply authentic story that resonates with our collective experience, and bringing it to cinemas across West Africa ensures that audiences at home connect with the same story that has captivated the world.”

Kene Okwuosa, Group CEO of Filmhouse Group, added: “My Father’s Shadow has received remarkable recognition on the international stage, and we believe it is important that audiences in Nigeria, Ghana, and Liberia also share in this landmark achievement. Our decision to distribute the film across these territories reflects our commitment to showcasing African stories at the highest level, not just globally but within our own region.”

The Lagos premiere also introduced audiences to first-time actors Chibuike Marvellous Egbo and Godwin Egbo, who were discovered through a Lagos street casting campaign. They appear alongside British-Nigerian actor Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, who plays Folarin. The production was shot entirely in Nigeria with over 80 percent of its cast and crew being Nigerian, a factor producers say helped strengthen the local film workforce.

With its Nigerian premiere completed, My Father’s Shadow will begin theatrical screenings nationwide from September 19, while also expanding to other West African markets.