Since its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2025, and the many awards and accolades it has earned locally and internationally, Akinola Davies Jr.’s critically acclaimed debut feature film My Father’s Shadow has continued to make major strides in the film industry. Adding to its accomplishments, the feature film is set to make its Netflix debut this September on the 21st, 2026.

@netflix 🇳🇬🇬🇭🇰🇪🇿🇦🇦🇴🇧🇼🇨🇻🇨🇩🇬🇲🇱🇸🇱🇷🇲🇼🇲🇿🇳🇦🇷🇼🇸🇹🇸🇨🇸🇱🇹🇿🇺🇬🇿🇲🇿🇼 pic.twitter.com/SsWF0APerf

— Fatherland Productions (@wearefatherland) September 14, 2026

Following its global waves in the film industry, including crossing the $1 million mark in global box office across Nigeria, the UK, and international markets, the indie feature film is now ready for its Netflix streaming in over 20 African countries in the world.

Distributed by FilmOne Entertainment, the award-winning drama first ran its initial theatrical release in Nigeria across 16 States from September to October 2025, followed by a global theatrical journey, screening in cinemas across the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, France, Italy, and Brazil, before making a special limited re-release for Nigerian cinemas in June 2026.

This latest milestone also arrives after its clean sweep at local and international award ceremonies and film festivals, including the 2026 BAFTAs, where it won the Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer, and the 2026 AMVCAs, taking home five awards, including Best Movie and Best Director. It also sets the record as the first Nigerian film ever selected for the Cannes Film Festival’s Official Selection, where it earned a Caméra d’Or Special Mention (78th Edition), among other notable accolades.

Co-written and directed by Wale Davies and Akinola Davies Jr., My Father’s Shadow is a period drama set against the turbulent historic backdrop of Lagos during the June 12, 1993 presidential election crisis. The movie follows two young brothers, Remi (Chibuike Marvellous Egbo) and Akin (Godwin Chiemerie Egbo), who spend an unexpected, eye-opening day exploring the heart of Lagos with their estranged father, Folarin (Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù), as he tries to collect his long-overdue salary.

Shot entirely on textured 16mm film, the movie captures the nostalgic, vibrant, and chaotic pulse of 1993 Lagos through the eyes of the young boys, exploring family secrets, political uncertainty, and urban life.

Despite its critical acclaim and impressive box-office numbers across its theatrical run, the highly anticipated film will be bringing its intimate yet expensive storytelling and cinematography directly to small screens this September. And with this, Akinola and Wale Davies are in for another round of success.