Produced by Fatherland Productions in partnership with Mubi and Element Pictures, the film was shot largely in Lagos and Ibadan, Oyo State. The production company announced the milestone in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, describing it as “a proud moment for Nigerian storytelling on the global stage.”
“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 was the qualifying run for this submission,” the statement read.
According to Variety, which first reported the story, the Yoruba-, Naija-Pidgin- and English-language film was chosen by a special BAFTA selection committee.
The film premiered earlier this year in the Cannes Film Festival’s “Un Certain Regard” section—another historic feat, as it was the first Nigerian title to be featured in the festival’s official selection. It earned director Akinola Davies Jr., a Nigerian-British filmmaker, a special jury mention for his storytelling approach.
Set against the backdrop of Nigeria’s 1993 election crisis, My Father’s Shadow follows two young brothers travelling with their estranged father from a rural village to Lagos amid widespread political tension.
The film stars Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù of Gangs of London, alongside newcomers Godwin Egbo and Chibuike Marvellous Egbo. It was written by Wale Davies and co-written by Akinola Davies Jr., both of whom previously collaborated on Lizard—the 2021 Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner and BAFTA nominee.
In a statement to Variety, the filmmakers expressed excitement about the film’s growing global reach:
“We are so excited to see the journey of this film unfold and for it to resonate with audiences. My Father’s Shadow is a film that is at once intimate and epic. We are proud to be telling this Nigerian story and to sit alongside others in the international feature category that celebrate diverse storytelling through collaboration.”
Released in Nigerian cinemas on September 19 by FilmOne Entertainment, the film continues its local run until October 16, with its UK and US theatrical releases slated for February 6, 2026.
The UK’s selection of My Father’s Shadow comes just weeks after Nigeria’s own Official Selection Committee (NOSC) announced that the country would not submit any film for the 2026 Oscars International Feature category, citing the need for stronger technical and creative standards.
NOSC chairperson Stephanie Linus explained that while six films were considered, the committee voted to make “no submission” this year. She encouraged Nigerian filmmakers to study past nominees to strengthen future bids.
The Oscars International Feature Film shortlist will be unveiled on December 16, while the final nominees are expected to be announced on January 22, 2026.