Akinola Davies Jr’s “My Father’s Shadow” Returns to Nigerian Cinema in June

The Cannes award-winning Akinola Davies Jr’s My Father’s Shadow returns to Nigerian cinemas after an unprecedented win at the 2026 African Magic Viewers Choice Awards(AMVCA). This re-release is motivated by public demand after its AMVCA sweep winning Best Movie, Best Director, Best Writing (Movie), Best Music/Score, and Best Sound Design. 

From 5th June, 2026, the film will return to Nigerian cinemas for a special limited re-release in partnership with FilmOne Entertainment. Initially released in 16 states across the country from September to October 2025, Nigeria was the first country in the world to widely release the film in cinemas. The film had theatrical runs in the UK, US, Canada, France, Italy, and Brazil after its Nigerian run. My Father’s Shadow is the first Nigerian film selected for the Cannes Film Festival’s Official Selection (Un Certain Regard). 

My Father’s Shadow follows the story of two brothers (played by Godwin Chiemerie Egbo and Chibuike Marvellous Egbo) navigating Lagos with their estranged father (Sope Dirisu) over the course of a single day. Set in the aftermath of the historic June 12 1993, Nigerian election crisis, a date that has since become Nigeria’s Democracy Day. This re-release invites audiences to revisit the acclaimed film as a living archive of memory and nationhood ahead of June 12. 

The director, Akinola Davies Jr. in response to their win said, “I’m genuinely overwhelmed. To win multiple awards at the AMVCAs — while not being in the room — is something I truly did not see coming. I wish I could have been there in person to share that moment, but the energy reached me where I was. To the jury, thank you for seeing this film the way you did. My Father’s Shadow was a deeply personal journey, and your recognition means more than I can put into words. To my fellow nominees and winners — you all made this category extraordinary. The work coming out of our community right now is something special, and I’m honoured to stand alongside it. And to the audiences — especially those discovering the film as it returns to cinemas — thank you. Your response has been the real award. Come back to the big screen. That’s where she lives.” 

Funmbi Ogunbanwo, Producer and CEO of Fatherland, and Wale Davies, Writer and Founder of Fatherland, added: “There’s something powerful about watching this story in a room full of our people here in Nigeria, as we approach June 12. This re-release is about creating space for reflection, for conversation, and the healing of our shared wounds.”

Ladun Awobokun, Chief Content Officer at FilmOne Entertainment, said: “At FilmOne, our priority is to identify and champion content that is both artistically powerful and culturally relevant. My Father’s Shadow is a deeply authentic story that resonates with our collective experience, and bringing it back to cinemas ensures that audiences at home connect with the same story that has captivated the world.” 

The re-release will be accompanied by a curated campaign spanning archival storytelling, behind-the-scenes material, and cultural programming. Audiences can also expect special merchandise drops. My Father’s Shadow continues its journey as a cultural document, inviting audiences to reflect on where Nigeria has been and where it is going.