Akinola Davies Jr.’s My Father’s Shadow Debuts on Netflix This September

Akinola Davies Jr.’s drama My Father’s Shadow will begin streaming on Netflix on September 21, 2026, following its cinema release and run at international film festivals.

Directed by Davies Jr. and co-written with his brother, Wale Davies, My Father’s Shadow follows two young brothers who spend an unexpected day with their estranged father in Lagos. Set during Nigeria’s 1993 election crisis, the film follows the family as they move through the city while dealing with tensions within their relationship and the uncertainty around them. The story takes place over a single day and draws partly from the filmmakers’ own experiences.

Photo: Instagram/@akinoladaviesjr

British-Nigerian actor Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù plays Folarin, the boys’ father, while Godwin Chiemerie Egbo and Chibuike Marvellous Egbo play his sons. The film was shot on 16mm by cinematographer Jermaine Edwards, with Lagos serving as both the setting and an important part of the story.

My Father’s Shadow premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section, becoming the first Nigerian film selected for the festival’s Official Selection. It also received a Special Distinction at the Caméra d’Or, which recognises first features.

Photo: Instagram/@akinoladaviesjr

The film opened in Nigerian cinemas in September 2025 after its Cannes premiere, before continuing its festival and awards run internationally.