For the first time in nearly 80 years, a Nigerian film will be screened in an official selection slot at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. This milestone moment marks a significant shift for Nollywood, Nigeria’s fast-paced film industry.
The selected film, My Father’s Shadow, directed by Akinola Davies, will premiere on Sunday, marking a breakthrough for the industry at the global home of arthouse cinema.
Cultural advisor to President Bola Tinubu, Prince Baba Agba, hailed the development, stating, “Getting into competition for the first time ever shows that Nigerian cinema has come of age.”
Nollywood, which produces as many as five films a day, has long thrived on a diet of low-budget dramas dealing with themes like love, religion, poverty, and corruption, often featuring elements of the supernatural. Despite its popularity across Africa and among the diaspora, the industry has struggled to secure international prestige.
A Story Rooted in History
Davies’ semi-autobiographical debut, My Father’s Shadow, is set during Nigeria’s turbulent 1993 military coup, a turning point in the nation’s democratic journey. The film follows two young boys trailing their father through the chaos in Lagos, capturing a poignant moment when hopes for democracy were dashed by General Sani Abacha’s rise to power.
Starring Gangs of London actor Sope Dirisu, the film’s Cannes selection has been praised not as a rare exception, but as a sign of the industry’s broader evolution.
Growing Global Recognition
In recent years, Nigerian films have gained international attention. Editi Effiong’s The Black Book topped Netflix’s global charts in 2023, including reaching No.1 in South Korea. Films like Eyimofe (This Is My Desire) have been picked up by the Criterion Collection, while Shine Your Eyes found acclaim at the Berlin International Film Festival.
“We are still making a wide range of films, from low-budget to million-dollar productions,” said Agba. “But now, more than ever, these films carry the soul and heart of Nigeria.”
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The industry still faces challenges. Netflix has reportedly slowed investment in Nigerian content, and Amazon shuttered its Africa operation last year. Nonetheless, local stakeholders are rising to the occasion. Media mogul Mo Abudu, founder of the Ebonylife Group, is preparing to launch a streaming platform dedicated to Nigerian content and open a cultural hub in London.
“Big global players may pull back, but we can’t keep waiting,” said Abudu, who was recently named the most influential woman in international film by The Hollywood Reporter.
Government support could also boost the industry. A proposed tax relief bill for filmmakers is currently moving through Nigeria’s National Assembly and is expected to encourage further growth and international collaboration.
With Afrobeats and Nollywood serving as Nigeria’s leading cultural exports, the country’s soft power continues to rise. Agba highlighted the need to expand infrastructure, noting that while Nigeria has fewer than 150 cinema screens, Brazil whose population is similar has over 3,000.
Despite the obstacles, the industry’s momentum is clear. As Nigerian stories reach new audiences, My Father’s Shadow at Cannes stands as a proud symbol of what Nollywood can become.
