For the first time ever, a Nigerian film, My Father’s Shadow, will be officially screened at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival on Sunday.
Directed by Akinola Davies, the film is set during Nigeria’s 1993 military coup. “Everyone’s dreams of democracy were just taken away,” Davies said, calling it a defining moment for the nation.
Prince Baba Agba, cultural advisor to President Tinubu, hailed the selection as a turning point.
“Getting into competition for the first time ever shows that Nigerian cinema has come of age,” he said.
Long known for its volume and low-budget dramas, Nollywood is now gaining global attention. Recent hits like The Black Book on Netflix and Eyimofe in the Criterion Collection reflect this shift.
“We are telling unique stories with the soul and heart of Nigeria,” Agba added, noting that productions now range from $10,000 indie films to million-dollar projects.
Despite setbacks like Amazon’s exit and Netflix’s slowdown in Africa, local platforms and support, including proposed tax breaks, are helping Nollywood grow.
“We can’t keep waiting on everyone else to do this for us,” said Mo Abudu of Ebonylife, who plans to launch a new streaming service and cultural hub in London.
With global recognition and rising ambition, Nollywood is stepping onto the world stage, not just in volume, but in impact.
