by Alex Billington
August 14, 2026
Source: YouTube

"They called him Poseidon... He was buff, and he had muscles, and he was the strongest ever." Rich Spirit revealed a first look teaser trailer for the highly acclaimed indie film titled If I Go Will They Miss Me, the second feature by filmmaker Walter Thompson-Hernandez. This received lots of stellar reviews at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, one of the most acclaimed indie discoveries showcasing very distinct filmmaking. This intro is the best: "Expanded from an award-winning Sundance short, Thompson-Hernández infuses empathy in this lyrical feature about a sensitive boy in Watts who constructs a mythological imagination for his family, contrasting sharply with their complicated reality." This stars Danielle Brooks, J. Alphonse Nicholson, and Bodhi Dell as Lil Ant. In Watts, California, a 12-year-old boy attempts to connect with his distant father following his incarceration while sensing mysterious visions, from airplanes and Greek gods, that seem to follow him through his everyday world. The film opens in select theaters starting in September and is a must watch for any & every cinephile seeking the best indie discoveries each year. Get a look below.

Here's the teaser trailer for Walter Thompson-Hernandez's film If I Go Will They Miss Me, on YouTube:

In the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles, CA, 12-year-old Lil Ant (starring Bodhi Jordan Dell) sees the world and his father the way all children should — full of myth, wonder, and unwavering belief. If I Go Will They Miss Me is a breathtaking father-son story about imagination, family, and the grace we extend to the people we love. If I Go Will They Miss Me is written and directed by up-and-coming indie filmmaker Walter Thompson-Hernandez, making his second feature film after directing Kites and also a few other short films. Produced by Josh Peters, Saba Zerehi, and Ben Stillman. This initially premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. Rich Spirit debuts Walter Thompson-Hernandez's If I Go Will They Miss Me film in select US theaters starting September 11th, 2026 (wide release on the 18th). Look good?

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