June 24, 1993 will become known as one of the most consequential days in the brief history of post-colonial Nigeria, but  for the two young boys at the heart of Akinola Davies Jr.’s semi-autobiographical drama that date is to be remembered for more personal reasons. Brothers Remi and Akin get to spend a gift of a day with their estranged father Folarin. They go on a voyage into Lagos observing the colossal city for the first time and the hoops their father must deal with to provide. All this happens in the backdrop of the presidential election result which calls into question his ability to get them home.


The screening was made possible with the support of the British Council.

Cannes Film Festival 2025 - Un Certain Regard: Camera d’Or Special Mention

Akinola Ogunmade-Davies Jr. is a multidisciplinary filmmaker, writer, and video artist whose work spans West Africa and the United Kingdom. His 2020 short film Lizard won the Sundance Short Film Grand Jury Prize and received a BAFTA nomination. His feature debut, My Father’s Shadow, premiered in the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival in 2025 where it won the Camera d’Or Special Mention.

Lizard (2020) - short

Director: Akinola Davies Jr.
Cast: Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, Efon Wini, Godwin Egbo, Chibuike Marvellous Egbo
Cinematography: Jermaine Canute Edwards
Screenwriter: Wale Davies, Akinola Davies Jr.
Producer: Rachel Dargavel, Funmbi Ogunbanwo
Editor: Omar Guzmán
Music: CJ Mirra, Duval Timothy
Hungarian Distributor: -
Colour: colour
Run time: 93 mins

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