My Father’s Shadow

My Father’s Shadow (2025)
Dir. Akinola Davies Jr.
With Sopé Dìrísù
93min; DCP
Nigeria, UK

In English, Nigerian Pidgin, and Yoruba with English subtitles

The UK’s Best International Feature Film entry to the 98th Academy Awards and recipient of the Caméra d’Or Special Mention at Cannes, Akinola Davis Jr.’s My Father’s Shadow is a poetic, tender portrait of father–son bonds. Framed by the political landscape of 1993 Lagos, the film follows a father and his two young sons as they journey into and around the vibrantly rendered Nigerian metropolis, quietly reckoning with their relationship while navigating a city on the precipice of democratic crisis. Brothers and collaborators Akinola Davies Jr. and Wale Davies bring us a groundbreaking feature debut—centering an award-winning performance by Sopé Dìrísù (Slow Horses, Gangs of London)—that reveals the profound depths of what families leave unspoken.

Preceded by:

Lizard (2020)
Dir. Akinola Davies Jr.
With Pamilerin Ayodeji, Osayi Uzamere, Charles Etubiebi
18min; DCP
UK, Nigeria, 18m

In English and Pidgin with English subtitles

After eight-year-old Juwon gets removed from bible class by her Sunday school teacher, she follows an agama lizard into the bowels of the “Heaven’s Gate Ministries” mega church. Her journey into the labyrinth exposes the financial inner workings and the hidden activities behind the scenes. Plunging her deeper until she is confronted by a spellbinding sermon and a congregation worshipping in a hypnotised frenzy. Magical interactions with an alarmingly larger lizard and a sturdy gateman serve as metaphors for the preceding incidents. As her family proceeds to leave the church, they are intercepted by the dramatic confrontation with a gang of holy armed robbers.