Nigerian cinema has reached a historic milestone with the selection of My Father’s Shadow, a drama by acclaimed filmmaker Chika Anadu, for official competition at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.
This marks the first time in history that a Nigerian film will contend in one of the festival’s top categories, a breakthrough hailed as a watershed moment for Nollywood and African cinema at large.
The announcement was made on Wednesday by Cannes Festival Director Thierry Frémaux, who described the film as “a moving, visually arresting work that blends African storytelling traditions with universal themes of identity, memory, and generational conflict.” The film will screen in the Un Certain Regard category, reserved for bold, innovative storytelling.
Set against the backdrop of rural Eastern Nigeria, My Father’s Shadow follows the journey of a young woman, Adaeze, who confronts family secrets while grappling with questions of tradition, inheritance, and personal freedom. The film weaves Igbo folklore with contemporary struggles, creating what critics have already described as “a poetic masterpiece.”
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The news has sparked celebrations across Nigeria’s film industry. The Nigerian Oscars Selection Committee (NOSC), which recently announced that the country would not submit a film for the 2026 Academy Awards due to technical constraints, praised Anadu’s achievement as evidence that Nigerian cinema is still making strides internationally.
“This is more than just one filmmaker’s success; it’s Nollywood’s breakthrough on the world’s biggest cinematic stage,” said Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, founder of the Africa Movie Academy Awards. “For years, we have fought for global recognition. Today, Cannes has opened its doors in a historic way.”
On social media, the hashtag #MyFathersShadow quickly trended, with fans and celebrities lauding the film’s achievement. Singer Burna Boy tweeted, “Naija to the world! Congratulations to the team behind My Father’s Shadow. This is history in the making.”
Director Chika Anadu, known for her critically acclaimed debut B for Boy (2013), expressed gratitude to her cast, crew, and Nigerian audiences. “This film is deeply personal,” she said in a statement. “It tells the story of fathers, daughters, and the weight of tradition. To see it embraced on a stage like Cannes is beyond my wildest dreams. I dedicate this to every African storyteller who believes our voices matter.”
Industry observers believe the film’s selection will open new doors for Nigerian filmmakers seeking financing, distribution, and recognition beyond the continent. For decades, Nollywood has thrived as one of the world’s largest film industries by volume, but often struggled with limited budgets and international visibility.
“This is a sign that the world is finally ready to see Nollywood not just as a commercial powerhouse, but as a creative force,” said film critic Oris Aigbokhaevbolo.
My Father’s Shadow is scheduled to premiere at Cannes later this month, with Anadu and her cast expected to walk the red carpet alongside global stars. Regardless of whether it wins an award, the film’s presence has already cemented its place in Nigerian cinematic history.
As excitement builds, many see this as a turning point for Nigerian cinema. For the first time, Nollywood’s stories will be judged on the same stage as some of the world’s most celebrated filmmakers. And for audiences back home, it is a moment of pride that could inspire the next generation of storytellers.