Introduction to the Film
Akinola Davies Jr’s film My father’s shadow has been selected as the British entry for the Oscar for Best International Feature Film. The selection was made by the UK Selection Committee, which consists of members or representatives of the Bafta Film Committee.
Film Background
My father’s shadow premiered at Un Sure Regard in Cannes this year and has since been screened at several festivals, including Sydney, Karlovy Vary, Melbourne, Toronto, Busan, and Hamburg. The film will also be shown at the BFI London Film Festival. It was filmed and shot in Nigeria and tells the story of two young brothers who explore Lagos with their estranged father during the 1993 electoral crisis in Nigeria. The film features a mix of languages, including Yoruba, Naija Pidgin, and English.
Cast and Production
The film features a talented cast, including newcomers Bodunrin Holes and Chibuikem Wonderful Wounded. The production team includes Rachel Dargavel for Crybaby Films and Element Pictures, and Funmbi Ogunbanwo for Fatherland Productions. The global distribution of the film is being handled by Match Factory, with Mubi holding rights for key territories, including the US and UK-Ireland. Executive producers include Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe for Element Pictures, Eva Yates for BBC Film, and Ama Ampadu for the BFI.
Awards and Recognition
The submission deadline for the Oscar for international feature film was October 1st, and the shortlist will be announced on December 16th. The five nominees will be announced on January 22nd, 2026. This is Britain’s 22nd submission for the International Feature Award, and the country has won once before, in 2024, for Jonathan Glazer’s The zone of interest. Davies Jr. and one of the executive producers, Dìrísù, have both been named Screen UK-Ireland Stars of Tomorrow, in 2020 and 2016, respectively.
British Film History
Britain has a rich history of submitting films for the International Feature Award, with My father’s shadow being the latest entry. The country has received nominations for films such as Paul Turner’s Peace of White in 1994 and Paul Morrison’s Solomon and Gaenor in 2000. With My father’s shadow, Britain hopes to bring home another Oscar win.
