The United Kingdom has selected My Father’s Shadow, a Nigerian story directed by Nigerian-British filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr., as its official entry for the Best International Feature category at the 98th Academy Awards, making it the first Nigerian story to receive this honour.
The story book produced by Fatherland Productions in collaboration with Mubi and Element Pictures, the film was shot largely in Lagos and Ibadan. Announcing the news on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Fatherland Productions wrote:
“My Father’s Shadow is the first Nigerian story to be selected by the UK for submission to the Oscars for Best International Feature. To all Nigerians who watched it in theatres, thank you. Our theatrical run in Nigeria was the qualifying run for this submission.”
According to Variety, the film presented in Yoruba, Naija-Pidgin, and English was chosen by a special BAFTA selection committee. It premiered earlier this year in Cannes under the “Un Certain Regard” category, marking the first time a Nigerian film was featured in the festival’s official selection. Davies Jr. also received a special jury mention for his work.
Set against the backdrop of Nigeria’s 1993 election crisis, My Father’s Shadow tells the story of two young boys who embark on a tense journey with their estranged father from a small village to Lagos during political turmoil. The film stars Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù (Gangs of London) alongside newcomers Godwin Egbo and Chibuike Marvellous Egbo.
Written by Wale Davies and Akinola Davies Jr., the duo previously collaborated on the short film Lizard, which won the 2021 Sundance Grand Jury Prize and earned a BAFTA nomination.
In a statement, the filmmakers expressed excitement about the recognition:
“We are thrilled to see the film’s journey unfold and resonate globally. My Father’s Shadow is both intimate and epic — a story that builds understanding by bringing diverse experiences to the screen. We’re proud to tell this Nigerian story and to stand among other international features that celebrate local-to-global storytelling.”
The film premiered in Nigerian cinemas on September 19 and continues showing until October 16, distributed by FilmOne. Its UK and US releases are scheduled for February 6, 2026.
This recognition comes just weeks after Nigeria’s Official Selection Committee announced it would not submit any film for the 2026 Oscars, citing the need for greater creative and technical refinement.
The Oscars shortlist for the International Feature category will be unveiled on December 16, while final nominations are set to be announced on January 22, 2026.
