Long before the winners were announced at the 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards on Saturday night in Lagos, films like “The Herd,” “Gingerrr,” “To Kill A Monkey,” and several commercially successful Nollywood titles had dominated conversations online.
Many of the films arrived at the ceremony with strong fan bases, impressive streaming numbers, viral moments, and massive box office performances. But by the end of the night, one film quietly overshadowed the rest.
“My Father’s Shadow,” a deeply personal and emotionally layered drama directed by Akinola Davies Jr., emerged as the biggest winner of the 2026 AMVCA, securing five awards including the night’s highest honour, Best Movie.
The film also won Best Director for Akinola Davies Jr., Best Writing in a Movie for Wale Davies, Best Score/Music for Duval Timothy and CJ Mirra, as well as Best Sound Design for Pius Fatoke and CJ Mirra.
Set against the backdrop of Nigeria’s turbulent 1993 election crisis, “My Father’s Shadow” follows two young brothers, Akin and Remi, who unexpectedly spend a transformative day in Lagos with their estranged father, Folarin.
Played by British-Nigerian actor Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, Folarin is portrayed as a deeply flawed but emotionally complex man attempting to reconnect with his children while navigating financial struggles, political instability, family tension and personal regret.
Throughout the film, the audience watches the brothers encounter different sides of Lagos, crowded buses, roadside food spots, beaches, military checkpoints and moments of chaos, while gradually discovering truths about their father and themselves.
What initially appears to be a simple family reunion slowly unfolds into a moving meditation on masculinity, memory, brotherhood, grief and generational trauma.
The film’s emotional weight becomes even stronger in its final moments when the children eventually lose their father, forcing audiences to reflect on absence, family and the fragile nature of reconciliation.
Rather than treating the 1993 election annulment as background decoration, the film uses the political tension of the period to shape the emotional atmosphere of the story. Military presence, uncertainty, fear and instability become part of the characters’ lived experiences, creating a powerful portrait of Nigeria during one of its most defining historical moments.
The screenplay, co-written by Akinola Davies Jr. and his brother Wale Davies, was largely inspired by their own experiences growing up after losing their father at a young age.
Shot on 16mm film by cinematographer Jermaine Edwards, the movie captured Lagos with a textured, almost nostalgic visual style rarely seen in contemporary Nollywood productions.
The grainy aesthetic, combined with muted tones and careful framing, gave the film a timeless quality that strengthened its emotional atmosphere.
Its sound design and music score, both of which earned AMVCA wins, also played major roles in building tension and emotional immersion throughout the film.
The success of “My Father’s Shadow” at the AMVCA did not happen in isolation.
Months before dominating the Lagos awards ceremony, the film had already built strong international credibility.
In May 2025, it became the first Nigerian film selected for the official lineup of the Cannes Film Festival, where it premiered in the prestigious Un Certain Regard section.
The achievement marked a historic milestone for Nigerian cinema on the global stage.
The film later received a Special Mention for the Caméra d’Or at Cannes, further elevating its profile internationally.
Following Cannes, the movie continued its remarkable run across several global film festivals and award platforms.
It earned recognition at the British Independent Film Awards, Gotham Independent Film Awards, BAFTA Awards and the International Film Festival of India.
Akinola Davies Jr. won Best Director at the British Independent Film Awards, while Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù received major acting recognition internationally for his performance as Folarin.
The film was also selected as the United Kingdom’s official submission for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards.
Although it ultimately did not secure an Oscar nomination, the selection alone reflected the scale of its international impact.
Its victory suggested that the AMVCA jury prioritised cinematic excellence and emotional sophistication over popularity contests or box office influence.
The film’s dominance also reflects the growing evolution of Nollywood itself.
“My Father’s Shadow” appears to sit at the centre of that transition, a film deeply Nigerian in its identity, but global in its cinematic language and execution.
By the end of the AMVCA ceremony, “My Father’s Shadow” was no longer simply another nominated film. It had become the defining film of the night.
