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Nigerian film ‘My Father’s Shadow’ makes history with special mention at Cannes Film Festival

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Nigerian film Cannes recognition

Nigerian filmmaker Akinola Davies’s debut feature, “My Father’s Shadow,” set during Nigeria’s 1993 coup, earned a special mention in the Camera d’Or at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, marking a historic first for Nigerian cinema

Nigerian cinema has achieved a significant milestone at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, with filmmaker Akinola Davies’s debut feature, “My Father’s Shadow,” earning a special mention in the Camera d’Or category for best first film.

Also read: Nollywood triumph: ‘My Father’s Shadow’ debuts at Cannes

The recognition came as the 78th edition of the renowned festival concluded on Saturday on the French Riviera, culminating in the awarding of its top prize, the Palme d’Or.

“My Father’s Shadow” marks a historic moment as it is the first Nigerian film to be officially recognized at Cannes since the festival’s inception nearly 80 years ago.

Akinola Davies’s powerful first feature is set against the tumultuous backdrop of Nigeria’s 1993 coup, a pivotal and traumatic period in the nation’s recent history when the military annulled democratic elections and General Sani Abacha eventually seized power.

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The film, which *The Guardian* lauded as “rich, heartfelt and rewarding,” follows a father and his two young sons on an odyssey through Lagos as the military “pulled the rug away from dreams of democracy.”

The film is about the boys being able to hold their father accountable… And because they get to see how to be accountable they can be accountable themselves.

Davies described this “lost chance” as a moment when “the rug was pulled away and everyone’s dreams of democracy were just taken away,” a period that continues to profoundly mark the country.

The semi-autobiographical narrative features “Gangs of London” actor Sope Dirisu. It depicts two small boys accompanying their father through Lagos as the coup unfolds, on a futile attempt to retrieve months of owed backpay.

The film delves into the father’s complex character, revealing his imperfections as the boys discover his infidelity.

Filmmaker Akinola Davies explained to AFP that “The film is about the boys being able to hold their father accountable… And because they get to see how to be accountable they can be accountable themselves.”

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Entertainment

Lizzy Anjorin Questions Court Order Over Priscilla Ojo’s Son

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Nollywood actress Lizzy Anjorin has questioned the authenticity of an interim order issued by the Lagos State High Court on 2 September 2026, restraining her from publishing photographs of Priscilla Ojo’s one-year-old son, Rakeem Mkambala, and from posting editorials concerning the family on specified social media platforms.

Anjorin raised the issue during an Instagram Live session on Friday, 4 September, after Priscilla shared a copy of the court order online.

The actress argued that publicising court documents before formally serving the respondent undermines the case.

“Your case na dead on arrival. If you post court letter on any platform before serving person wey you wan go serve, that court case na fake court case,” Anjorin said during the live session.

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Her comments came shortly after the High Court of Lagos State granted an ex parte application brought by Priscilla, her husband, Tanzanian singer Juma Mussa Mkambala, and their son, Rakeem.

Justice Yetunde Adesanya issued the interim order in Suit No. LD/ADR/6646/2026.

The order restrains Anjorin, as well as people acting under her authority, from publishing, posting, circulating, uploading or broadcasting photographs of Rakeem on specified social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp and TikTok.

The court also directed Anjorin to cease publishing or broadcasting editorials concerning the applicants on the platforms covered by the order.

An ex parte order is made at an interim stage without the respondent being heard. The order is therefore not a final determination of the dispute and remains subject to further proceedings.

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Priscilla shared the certified copy of the order on her Instagram Story on Friday, bringing the legal development into public view.

Anjorin’s reaction centres on the timing and manner in which the court documents were publicised. Her assertion that such publication makes a case “fake” is her own claim and is not a finding contained in the court order.

The development marks another chapter in the prolonged public dispute between Anjorin and Priscilla’s family, particularly Priscilla’s mother, actress Iyabo Ojo.

The disagreement has played out largely on social media and has previously resulted in legal action, including a ₦1 billion defamation suit filed by Iyabo Ojo against Anjorin.

In recent weeks, the dispute has also drawn Priscilla and her young son into the controversy, following public comments by Anjorin concerning the family.

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BBNaija Kess Says Big Brother Makes Life Harder

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Kesiena Tony Adjekpovu, popularly known as Kess, has said that participating in Big Brother Naija can make life harder, offering a candid reflection on the challenges that may come with the reality television experience.

The former Big Brother Naija housemate made the comment in a statement shared on social media, where he suggested that winning or simply taking part in the reality show does not necessarily make life easier after leaving the house.

“Big Brother makes your life harder,” Kess said.

The remark has drawn attention because life after reality television can bring a different set of expectations, particularly as former housemates adjust to increased public attention and the pressure that can accompany visibility.

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Kess was a housemate on the seventh season of Big Brother Naija, which aired in 2022. He entered the show as a businessman and was among the contestants who competed for the season’s grand prize.

His time on the programme also placed him in the public eye, giving viewers an opportunity to follow his personality and relationships inside the house.

Kess’s latest comment offers a more reflective view of the reality TV platform, suggesting that the experience does not end when a contestant leaves the house.

However, he did not provide further details in the available post explaining which specific aspects of life after Big Brother he was referring to.

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Damilola Oni Suffers Backlash at Mama Deola Movie Premiere

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Damilola Oni

Nigerian actress Damilola Oni has come under heavy fire across social media over her controversial outfit at the star-studded Mama Deola movie premiere (more…)

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