Waterford Film For All Presents – My Father’s Shadow (2025)

Waterford Film For All Presents : My Father’s Shadow

Whilst their mother is away in the village, young Nigerian bothers Remi and Akin are taken bysurprise when their often-absent father Folarin arrives home. Their surprise turns into excitement when Folarin suggests that the brothers accompany him to Lagos for the day, ashe needsto collect a long-overdue salary. The trip becomes a journey of discovery for the boys as theyspend time withtheir father and become more aware of their country’s political unrest.

Drawing loosely on his own experiences and co-written with his brother, this first feature fromdirector Akinola Davies Jr deftly explores themes of loss, memory,nostalgia and connected histories. My Father’s Shadowis an extraordinary debut and a powerful, poetic piece of cinema.

Reviews

“★★★★…a powerful debut that truncates the destiny of a nation and the fortunes of abeleaguered family into one fateful day trip.”- The IrishTimes

“★★★★In his Cannes-winning feature debut, the British-Nigerian filmmaker has craftedsomethingquite special, and nails that elusive trick of finding the universal in the particular.”- The Irish Independent

Winner

Best Director, British Independent Film Awards, 2025.

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