'My Father's Shadow' Courtesy of Cannes Film Festival Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment Sopé Dìrísù is struggling to connect, and to protect, his two young sons as the city of Lagos and the country of Nigeria falls apart around them, in the lyrical trailer for Akinola Davies Jr.'s My Father's Shadow. Davies Jr.'s directorial debut is set over a single fateful day. It's June 12, 1993. Nigeria has just held its first election since a military coup in the early 80s. On one side is a candidate who promises a new hope for democratic rule. On the other the incumbent, who would maintain military rule. But brothers Akin (Godwin Egbo) and Remi (Chibuike Marlevous Egbo) aren't interested in politics. When their usually-absent father Fola (Dìrísù), appears at their home in the countryside with a plan to take them with him to Lagos (he needs to reclaim four months of unpaid wages), it seems like an adventure, with the promise of some much-needed parental bonding. But after the bus breaks down and Fola's plans go awry, the planned jaunt turns into a perilous quest, with the trio trying to cross the city as the election results roll in and law and order begins to unravel. Related Stories TV Disney TV Studios Head Eric Schrier on Fearlessness, Failure and Showing the World "There's Content for Adults on Disney+" Movies Ben Radcliffe Is Booked, Busy and Having a Blast The first trailer for the film - provided exclusively to The Hollywood Reporter by Mubi - captures the languid pace and poetic imagery of Davies Jr.'s semi-autobiographical drama, a poetry that gives way to tension as the threat of violence begins to mount. "You better take these young ones home," a friend of Fola warns. "The streets are already hot!" My Father's Shadow premiered in Cannes' Un Certain Regard and is the U.K.'s Oscar entry for best international film. Akinola Davies Jr. won best director at the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) on Sunday for his debut feature, and at the Gotham Film Awards this week, Dìrísù took the best performer trophy. Mubi pre-bought rights to multiple territories for My Father's Shadow ahead of Cannes and will bow the film theatrically in the U.S. and U.K. on Feb. 6, 2026. Check out the My Father's Shadow trailer below. THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Subscribe Sign Up Mel Gibson 'Hunting Season' Review: A Magnetic Mel Gibson Makes This Formulaic Actioner Watchable Women in Entertainment 2025 Gwyneth Gets Why You're Obsessed united kingdom Ben Radcliffe Is Booked, Busy and Having a Blast Wicked: For Good 'Wicked' Stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo Perform "Get Happy/Happy Days Are Here Again" Medley at Intimate Hollywood Event Classic Reviews 'My Darling Clementine': THR's 1946 Review TriStar Pictures David Matalon, Co-Founder of TriStar Pictures and Former Regency CEO, Dies at 82 Mel Gibson 'Hunting Season' Review: A Magnetic Mel Gibson Makes This Formulaic Actioner Watchable Women in Entertainment 2025 Gwyneth Gets Why You're Obsessed united kingdom Ben Radcliffe Is Booked, Busy and Having a Blast Wicked: For Good 'Wicked' Stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo Perform "Get Happy/Happy Days Are Here Again" Medley at Intimate Hollywood Event Classic Reviews 'My Darling Clementine': THR's 1946 Review TriStar Pictures David Matalon, Co-Founder of TriStar Pictures and Former Regency CEO, Dies at 82