UK submits Nigerian story My Father’s Shadow for 2026 Oscars

A Nigerian story, My Father’s Shadow, has made history as the United Kingdom’s official entry for the Best International Feature category at the 98th Academy Awards. The film, directed by Nigerian...

A Nigerian story, My Father’s Shadow, has made history as the United Kingdom’s official entry for the Best International Feature category at the 98th Academy Awards.

The film, directed by Nigerian-British filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr., becomes the first Nigerian story ever submitted by the UK for Oscar consideration. Produced by Fatherland Productions in partnership with Mubi and Element Pictures, it was shot largely in Lagos and Ibadan.

The production team celebrated the milestone on X (formerly twitter) writing, “To all Nigerians who watched it in theatres: thank you. As the first country in the world to show the film widely in cinemas, our theatrical run qualified it for this submission.”

Set during Nigeria’s turbulent 1993 election crisis, My Father’s Shadow follows two young boys journeying with their estranged father from a remote village to Lagos amid political unrest. It stars Ṣọpẹ Dìrísù (Gangs of London) alongside newcomers Godwin Egbo and Chibuike Marvellous Egbo.

Co-written by Wale Davies and Akinola Davies Jr., the duo previously collaborated on Lizard, which won the 2021 Sundance Grand Jury Prize and earned a BAFTA nomination.

The film debuted in Nigerian cinemas on September 19 through FilmOne and is slated for UK and US theatrical releases on February 6, 2026.

Interestingly, the UK’s submission comes just weeks after Nigeria’s Official Selection Committee announced it would not be presenting any film for the 2026 Oscars, citing the need for stronger creative and technical depth.

The shortlist for the Best International Feature category will be revealed on December 16, with final nominees announced on January 22, 2026.

Suliyat Tella

Guardian Life

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