3 BFI-backed films announced for Cannes 2025

Three films supported by the BFI National Lottery Filmmaking Fund have been selected for this year’s Cannes Film Festival. My Father’s Shadow (Akinola Davies Jr), Pillion (Harry Lighton) and Urchin (Harris Dickinson) will all screen in Un Certain Regard.

Urchin, which is Harris Dickinson’s debut as writer-director, follows Mike, a rough sleeper in London trapped in a cycle of self-destruction as he attempts to turn his life around. Produced by Archie Pearch and Scott O’Donnell, the film stars Frank Dillane, Megan Northam and Amr Waked.

My Father’s Shadow is the first feature by Akinola Davies Jr, which he co-wrote with Wale Davies. The film sees two kid brothers, Remi and Akin, having the gift of a day with their estranged father Folarin, and going on a voyage into Lagos to observe the colossal city for the first time. It stars Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù and is produced by Rachel Dargavel.

Pillion is the debut feature of Harry Lighton, whose BAFTA-nominated short Wren Boys was supported by Film London and BFI NETWORK. The plot sees a timid man swept off his feet when an enigmatic, impossibly handsome biker takes him on as his submissive. Starring Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling, Pillion is written by Lighton and Adam Mars-Jones, based on the latter’s novel Box Hill. The producers are Emma Norton, Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe….