British-Nigerian drama My Father's Shadow, starring Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, has officially surpassed the US$1 million mark at the worldwide box office, adding another milestone to the remarkable journey of one of the most celebrated African films of the past year. The achievement follows the film's theatrical releases across Nigeria, the UK, Ireland and North America, together with its successful festival run and international distribution.
Directed by Akinola Davies Jr. and co-written with Wale Davies, My Father's Shadow has enjoyed an extraordinary run since making history as the first Nigerian film selected for the Official Selection at the Cannes Film Festival. Set against the backdrop of Nigeria's historic 1993 presidential election, the coming-of-age drama follows two young brothers who spend a transformative day with their estranged father, portrayed by Dìrísù. The film later received a Special Mention for the Caméra d'Or at Cannes before earning further recognition at the BAFTAs, British Independent Film Awards and Gotham Awards.
Although My Father's Shadow has now surpassed US$1 million at the worldwide box office, that figure does not include its original Nigerian theatrical performance. According to FilmOne Entertainment, the film grossed ₦25,780,750 (approximately US$17,000) during its initial cinema release in September 2025, before embarking on its successful international theatrical rollout.
The film, which also stars Nollywood talents Uzomaka Power (Call My Wife), Olurotimi Fakunle (Gangs of Lagos) and Tosin Adeyemi (House of Ga'a), has also enjoyed a remarkable awards season. At the 2026 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA), it emerged as the night's biggest winner, taking home five awards, including Best Movie, Best Director, Best Writing in a Movie (Wale Davies), Best Score/Music, and Best Sound Design, further cementing its reputation as one of the most critically acclaimed British-Nigerian productions in recent years.
Beyond its success at Cannes, My Father's Shadow also won the BAFTA Award for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer before being selected as the United Kingdom's official submission for the 98th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category, further underlining its growing international acclaim.
For Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, widely recognised for his performances in Gangs of London, His House and The Gorge, My Father's Shadow has become one of the defining performances of his career. His portrayal of Folarin has earned widespread critical acclaim and further cemented his reputation as one of Britain's leading actors of Nigerian heritage, while reinforcing the film's place among the most internationally celebrated productions with Nigerian roots.
- Jimi D Baldheaded Guy