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When My Father’s Shadow premieres in Nigerian cinemas this September, audiences will see a powerful story of memory, fatherhood, and Lagos in 1993. But beyond the gripping visuals and layered storytelling lies another tale&nbsp; that of the crew and cast who worked tirelessly to make the film possible.

The movie, directed by Akinola Davies Jr., produced by Funmbi Ogunbanwo, and co-written with Wale Davies, holds a historic distinction: it is the first Nigerian feature selected for Cannes’ Official Selection. Behind that milestone are countless moments of persistence, creativity, and collaboration.

The Challenges of Filming in Lagos and Ibadan

For producer Funmbi Ogunbanwo, the project was as much about vision as it was about problem-solving. Shooting across Lagos and Ibadan required flexibility, particularly when it came to one of the film’s most iconic scenes: filming on the Third Mainland Bridge.

“We had to shoot in the middle of traffic,” she recalls. “The team would drive a few meters, stop, set up cones, redirect cars, and then shoot again. It was complex, but everyone came together to make it happen. The final scene looks stunning.”

The film’s journey began in 2015, when Wale Davies drafted a short script and shared it with his brother Akinola. What started as a small idea grew into a feature-length exploration of family and memory.

Writing took place in Ghana’s Volta Region, where the brothers retreated to focus fully on the story. “It was as much about writing as it was about bonding,” Wale reflects. “Akinola kept me honest and helped shape the script into what it is today.”

When Akinola first read the draft, it moved him to tears. “I had never seen our lives fictionalized in this way,” he says. “It felt deeply personal.”

With filming spread across Ibadan and Lagos, Akinola leaned on collaboration between international professionals and local Nigerian crew. The blend of global expertise with local knowledge created not only efficiency but also a learning opportunity for many home-based filmmakers.

“Our Nigerian crew got firsthand experience working at international standards,” Funmbi explains. “Now, they’ll take those skills into future productions. That’s how the industry grows.”

Cinematographer Jermaine Edwards, an alumnus of the National Film and Television School in London, was central to this balance. Akinola praises him for his resilience: “Shooting in Nigeria’s heat is no small feat, but Jermaine handled it brilliantly.”

One of the film’s biggest surprises was the discovery of Chibuike and Godwin Egbo, two brothers cast as leads — though no one initially realized they were related. Their chemistry and support for each other became vital to carrying the emotional weight of the story.

Lead actor Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù also stood out for his ability to balance professionalism with mentorship. On set, he not only performed but also guided the young actors, ensuring they stayed calm and confident despite their inexperience.

For the filmmakers, the Nigerian premiere carries a deeper significance than the Cannes recognition.

“The real joy is bringing the story back home,” Wale says. “Storytelling, for me, is about redefining how we see ourselves and how the world sees us.”

Funmbi echoes this: “Nigerians will get to experience Lagos of the 1990s on the big screen — its rhythms, language, and energy. It’s a nostalgic journey I can’t wait for audiences to take.”

At its heart, My Father’s Shadow is more than cinema. It is a testament to what Nigerian filmmakers can achieve with vision, persistence, and collaboration. It is also a training ground, leaving behind a stronger, more experienced industry.

As the lights dim in cinemas this September, audiences will see a story of family. But for those who worked behind the camera, the story is also one of family&nbsp; the film family who came together to create something larger than themselves.

Crew and cast share stories from the set of My Father’s Shadow, the first Nigerian film in Cannes’ Official Selection, ahead of its local premiere.

Lights. Camera. Action.

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