A Day with My Father, the French title of My Father’s Shadow, hits theaters on March 25, 2026. This heartfelt drama, directed by Akinola Davies Jr. and co-written with Wale Davies, features performances by Sope Dirisu, Chibuike Marvellous Egbo, and Godwin Egbo. The story is set against the backdrop of Lagos during the turbulent 1993 election crisis. Selected for the Un Certain Regard section, the film made a significant impact at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, marking Nigeria’s first official entry in the prestigious festival lineup before earning a special mention with the Camera d'Or award.
The feature film follows a father trying to lead his two young sons through the sprawling city of Lagos as political tensions escalate. Set over the course of a single day, the story is a deeply personal and intimate portrait, told from a child's perspective, capturing a city brimming with emotion and chaos alike.
In his debut feature film, One Day with My Father, Akinola Davies Jr. expands on themes he initially explored in the short film Lizard. The screenplay, which the director has been developing alongside his brother Wale Davies for over a decade, draws from a deeply personal family story—centering on the loss of their father during childhood. Filmed primarily in Nigeria, with scenes shot in Lagos and Ibadan, the film was also captured on 35mm film, a deliberate choice that underscores its nostalgic, memorial quality.
Beyond Cannes, the film has also made the rounds at several international festivals, including Sydney, Karlovy Vary, Busan, Athens, and Bangkok. Its journey to French theaters underscores its recognition as a work praised not only for its historical significance and deep Nigerian roots but also for how it transforms a family story into a subtly tense political narrative.
One Day with My Father
Film | Coming in 2026
Release in theaters: March 25, 2026
Drama | Runtime: 1h33
Directed by Akinola Davies Jr. | Featuring Sope Dirisu, Chibuike Marvellous Egbo, Godwin Egbo
Original title: My Father’s Shadow
Country: Nigeria
To extend your at-home movie experience, check out the March cinema releases, discover the must-see films of the moment, and browse our top drama picks of the year.
