On a sun-drenched afternoon at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, a quiet yet powerful milestone was achieved. Akinola Davies Jr. and Wale Davies' movie, My Father's Shadow made history as the first Nigerian film to be selected for the festival’s official lineup, screening in France .

The genesis of My Father's Shadow is deeply personal. Both brothers lost their father at a young age and never really got to experience him. Years later, Wale penned a script imagining a day spent with their father, a narrative that resonated profoundly with Akinola. "I actually cried when I read it because I had never conceived of the idea of spending a day with my father and what we would say to him and what he would be like," Akinola shared .

The film was set in the heart of Lagos in 1993, a period marked by political unrest during Ibrahim Babaginda’s regime. Two young brothers reunite with their estranged father for a day. Through this journey, the Davies brothers experience themes of memory, grief, and national identity, merging personal history with the broader socio-political context of Nigeria.

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The city's vibrancy and complexity was well captured, with Akinola noting, "Point a camera at anything in Lagos, and it's so cinematic" . The collaboration with Nollywood technicians also helps facilitate the film's deep connection to Nigerian cinema.

My Father's Shadow is a result of the Davies brothers' ability to transform personal loss into a story that connects people and shows identity. Their work not only honours their father's memory but also elevates Nigerian storytelling on the global stage.

As the film continues to garner attention, it's evident that Akinola and Wale Davies have not only crafted a compelling narrative but have also opened doors for future Nigerian filmmakers. It was a beautiful moment to see them being celebrated on that scale and this inspires us that we can use storytelling to  bridge past and present, personal and political.