Akinola Davies Jr.’s feature debut My Father’s Shadow
has surpassed $1.1 million in worldwide theatrical earnings as of July 28, 2026. The Nigeria-UK co-production, which explores a 1993 Lagos family trip against the backdrop of political crisis, achieved the milestone following international box office runs and a sweeping five-win victory at the 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.
The feature film My Father’s Shadow
has crossed more than 1.1 million dollars in publicly tracked worldwide theatrical earnings, according to figures published by Box Office Mojo and The Numbers. Directed by British-Nigerian filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr. and co-written with his brother Wale Davies, the drama follows an estranged father and his two young sons on a chaotic day trip across Lagos on June 12, 1993, as the country reacts to the annulment of its presidential election.
Global Box Office Performance Across International Markets
The worldwide total reflects territories covered by international tracking platforms and excludes several local runs, most notably the film’s initial domestic receipts in Nigeria. According to FilmOne’s 2025 Nigeria Box Office Yearbook, which compiles Comscore data, the film generated 25.7 million naira during its initial run across 16 states between September 19 and December 31, 2025. Internationally, France emerged as the largest documented overseas market after its release under the title Un jour avec mon père
on March 25, 2026. French box office service CBO Box Office recorded 30,387 admissions from 96 locations in its opening week, with Box Office Mojo attributing $515,224 of the global total to the French theatrical run.
The United Kingdom and Ireland provided the second-largest contribution to the international tally. Released in early February 2026, the film opened with £58,452 to top the local limited-release chart, accumulating $438,645 in total UK receipts according to Box Office Mojo.
AMVCA Dominance and the June Limited Re-Release in Nigeria
The commercial milestone coincides with a wave of domestic renewed interest sparked by the 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) ceremony held on May 9, 2026, at Eko Hotels & Suites in Lagos. The production swept five major categories, claiming Best Movie for producers Funmbi Ogunbanwo and Rachel Dargavel, Best Director for Akinola Davies Jr., Best Writing in a Movie for Wale Davies, Best Score/Music for Duval Timothy and CJ Mirra, and Best Sound/Sound Design for Pius Fatoke and CJ Mirra.
Capitalizing on public demand following the awards sweep, the film returned to Nigerian cinemas on June 5, 2026, in a special limited re-release distributed in partnership with FilmOne Entertainment to coincide with the country’s Democracy Day commemorations on June 12.
“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.”
Funmbi Ogunbanwo and Wale Davies, via Culture Custodian
Historical Context and International Festival Acclaim
Set on June 12, 1993—the day military ruler Ibrahim Babangida annulled Nigeria’s presidential election won by Moshood Abiola—the narrative blends personal memory with national history. The project was produced by Element Pictures, Fatherland Productions, and Crybaby Films, with backing from BBC Film and the BFI. Before its AMVCA success, the feature made history in 2025 as the first Nigerian film selected for the official Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival, where it received a Special Mention for the Caméra d’Or.
Despite missing out on an advancement in the Academy Awards international feature shortlist as the United Kingdom’s official submission, Akinola Davies Jr. expressed appreciation for the support received from BAFTA and international organizers.
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