While it did not win an award in the Un Certain Regard section, Akinola Davies Jr’s My Father’s Shadow has received a Caméra d’Or Special Mention at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival—an honour awarded to an outstanding debut feature across all sections (including Un Certain Regard, Directors’ Fortnight, and Critics’ Week). The main Caméra d’Or prize went to The President’s Cake by Hassan Hadi.
The semi-autobiographical drama is set in Lagos during the turbulent 1993 presidential elections and follows two young brothers who embark on a journey with their estranged father (played by Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù). Co-written with Wale Davies, the film explores themes of familial bonds, identity, and the socio-political landscape of Nigeria during a pivotal moment in its history.
Critics have praised the film for its poignant storytelling and powerful performances. Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian described it as a “subtle and intelligent coming-of-age tale,” while David Ehrlich of IndieWire commended its evocative portrayal of a family’s emotional journey.
My Father’s Shadow had already garnered international attention ahead of Cannes when MUBI acquired distribution rights in February for North America, the UK, Ireland, and Turkey.
Shot on location in Lagos and Ibadan, the film is a collaboration between Element Pictures, Crybaby, and Fatherland Productions. The production team includes Rachel Dargavel of Element Pictures and Funmbi Ogunbanwo of Fatherland Productions.
Previous notable Caméra d’Or winners include Steve McQueen (for Hunger in 2008) and Rungano Nyoni (I Am Not a Witch in 2017).
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