Nollywood star Funke Akindele has raised alarm over the growing issue of piracy in the Nigerian film industry, particularly as she prepares for the release of her new movie, Everybody Loves Jenifa, on December 13th.
In a heartfelt post on social media, Akindele appealed to Nigerians to reject piracy, emphasizing its harmful impact on the film sector.
She condemned the practice of recording videos in cinemas, which she described as piracy, and warned that such actions were damaging the industry.
“I’ve invested a lot of time, effort, and resources into this project, and I’m still continuing to do so,” Akindele said, underscoring the immense effort involved in producing the film.
She urged her followers not to support piracy, stressing that it is destructive to filmmakers and jeopardizes the future of Nollywood.
“Please, do not promote piracy. It’s killing us,” she added, calling for people to be cautious and support legitimate movie distribution.
Similarly, actor Deyemi Okanlawon addressed the issue of piracy last month, sharing an encounter where a fan requested a pirated version of his movie.
Another fan stepped in, offering free cinema tickets instead, which Okanlawon appreciated.
He spoke about the struggles of Nollywood producers, particularly newcomers, who work hard to create films without proper financial backing, and highlighted the damage piracy causes to the industry.
He expressed hope that more Nigerians would support legitimate movie viewing.
With piracy continuing to threaten Nollywood, both Akindele and Okanlawon are urging the public to stand against it and help safeguard the future of Nigerian cinema.