By Ebi Kesiena
The United Kingdom has chosen My Father’s Shadow as its official submission for the Best International Feature category at the 98th Academy Awards, making it the first Nigerian story to receive such recognition.
Produced by Fatherland Productions in partnership with Mubi and Element Pictures, the film was directed by Nigerian-British filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr. and filmed primarily in Lagos and Ibadan, Oyo State.
Fatherland Productions confirmed the news in a post on X, writing: “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. As the first country in the world to show the film widely in cinemas, our theatrical run was the qualifying run for this submission.”
According to Variety, which first broke the news, the film, spoken in Yoruba, Naija Pidgin, and English, was selected by a special BAFTA committee. It premiered earlier this year in the Cannes Film Festival’s “Un Certain Regard” section, marking the first time a Nigerian title featured in the festival’s official selection. Davies Jr. also received a special mention from the jury.
Set during Nigeria’s 1993 election crisis, My Father’s Shadow tells the story of two young boys travelling with their estranged father from a small village to Lagos amidst political unrest. It stars Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù of Gangs of London and introduces Godwin Egbo and Chibuike Marvellous Egbo.
The screenplay was written by Wale Davies and co-written by Akinola Davies Jr., who previously collaborated on Lizard, winner of the 2021 Sundance Grand Jury Prize and a BAFTA nominee.
In a statement, the filmmakers said: “We are so excited to see the journey of this film unfold and for the film to resonate with audiences. It is a film that is at once intimate and epic… We are so proud to be telling this Nigerian story and to sit alongside others in the international feature category that curate local to global stories.”
My Father’s Shadow was released in Nigerian cinemas on 19 September and will continue showing until 16 October. Its UK and US theatrical releases are set for 6 February 2026.
The announcement comes shortly after the Nigerian Official Selection Committee, NOSC revealed that Nigeria would not be submitting any film for the 2026 Oscars in the same category. NOSC chairperson, Stephanie Linus, said although six films were received, the committee decided against a submission, citing the need for greater creative and technical depth to meet Academy standards.
The Oscars shortlist for the International Feature category will be announced on 16 December, with the final nominations expected on 22 January 2026.
