Element Pictures receives double win at Cannes Film Festival for second year

Element Pictures, a Dublin and London-based production company, has earned two awards at Cannes Film Festival for the second year in a row.

Akinola Davies Jr. received the Caméra d’Or Special Mention for his debut feature, My Father’s Shadow. It marks the first Nigerian film in Official Selection, and the first Nigerian director to win the award. Harry Lighton’s debut feature Pillion also earned Best Screenplay during the Un Certain Regard awards ceremony.

Last year, the company saw wins from Jesse Plemons for Best Actor in Kinds of Kindness and Rungano Nyoni as Best Director for On Becoming A Guinea Fowl.

“It’s hard to express the pride I’m feeling that My Fathers Shadow has received this accolade,” said producer of the film, Rachel Dargavel. “It was made with so much love and energy and with an ambition to create something that resonated on an emotional level with anyone who took the time to watch it.”

The movie is semi-autobiographical, telling the story of a day in Lagos during the 1993 Nigerian election crisis.

"This is the most amazing end to a remarkable festival experience,” said Pillion producer Emma Norton. “We've all been so blown away by the reception of Pillion and this recognition for Harry's work - from the Un Certain Regard jury - is such an honour. The icing on the cake!"

The romance-drama highlights the relationship between Ray, a biker gang leader, and Colin, a timid man. Ray invites him to be his submissive, creating a wild and unconventional dynamic.

Element Productions is also known for productions like Poor Things, Normal People and The Killing of a Sacred Deer.