My Father’s Shadow Nigerian Premiere Draws Star-Studded Crowd | Here Are The Highlights

Lagos hit a new cinematic milestone as My Father’s Shadow premiered in Nigeria ahead of its nationwide release on September 19, 2025, by FilmOne Distributions

The event, held at Filmhouse Cinemas IMAX, drew an audience of filmmakers, actors, cultural leaders, industry executives, exhibitors and media, who celebrated the film’s homecoming after already making history around the world. My Father’s Shadow was the first Nigerian film to be selected for the Cannes Film Festival’s Official Selection (Un Certain Regard) earlier this year, and it received the Caméra d’Or Special Mention for best debut feature.

Set on June 23, 1993, the day Nigeria’s democratic hopes were dashed with the annulment of the June 12 election, the film follows two brothers as they travel around Lagos with their estranged father. Producer Wale Davies originally wrote the script for a short film, but it was later expanded into a feature alongside his brother, acclaimed filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr, culminating in a deeply personal yet universal depiction of fatherhood, identity, and national memory.

At the premiere, director Akinola Davies Jr said, “I hope that audiences will relate to the same things I love in the film – the family, politics, 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. 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, added, “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…