Oscars: U.K. Submits ‘My Father’s Shadow’ for International Feature Race (Exclusive)

“My Father’s Shadow” has been selected as the U.K.’s official Oscar submission for best international feature at the 98th Academy Awards.

The feature debut of Akinola Davies Jr. and from Mubi, Element Pictures and Fatherland Productions, “My Father’s Shadow” — a Yoruba, Naija-Pidgin and English-language film — premiered earlier this year in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard competition, where it became Nigeria’s first title in the festival’s official selection and earned Davies Jr. a Special Mention from the jury. It was chosen to represent the U.K. by a special BAFTA selection committee.

Starring Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù and introducing Godwin Egbo and Chibuike Marvellous Egbo, the film spans one day in the life of two young boys traveling with their estranged father from a small village in rural Nigeria to the bustling capital city Lagos. But this journey takes place during the 1993 Nigerian election crisis, a…