Nollywood star and filmmaker Funke Akindele has made a heartfelt appeal to Nigerians to stand against piracy as she prepares to release her highly anticipated movie, Everybody Loves Jenifa, in cinemas on December 13th. In an emotional video shared on her social media platforms, the actress highlighted the devastating impact of piracy on the Nigerian film industry and her personal investments in the project.
Piracy: A Threat to Nollywood
Funke expressed her frustration with the rampant practice of recording short clips of movies in cinemas, labeling it as piracy. She emphasized how such acts not only undermine the efforts of filmmakers but also result in significant financial losses.
“SAY NO TO PIRACY!!! Recording short videos at the cinemas is piracy!!! Please stop it!!! Piracy is killing us!! I worked so hard on this project. Please, I’m pleading—do not be caught promoting piracy!”
The actress revealed that she poured substantial resources into the movie and continues to invest in its success, making piracy an even greater threat to her hard work.
A Larger Problem in Nollywood
Funke Akindele’s cry is not isolated. Other Nollywood actors and filmmakers have spoken out about the damaging effects of piracy:
Deyemi Okanlawon’s Experience
Last month, Deyemi Okanlawon shared his frustration after a fan expressed interest in watching a pirated version of his latest movie. Despite this, Deyemi praised another fan for offering free tickets to discourage piracy, noting that such gestures restore his faith in Nigerians.
“Nollywood producers, especially newbies like myself, try to tell global-level stories with no support from the government or financial institutions. Nigerians have no idea how much damage their participation in piracy causes.”
Wumi Toriola’s Strong Reaction
In October, actress Wumi Toriola lashed out at fans who asked if her debut cinema production would be available on YouTube or Telegram. She condemned their actions, raining curses on those supporting illegal movie access.
Toyin Abraham’s Anti-Piracy Campaign
Last year, Toyin Abraham took decisive action against piracy, exposing five individuals attempting to sell her movie Malaika illegally. She revealed that piracy nearly drove her mad after investing over ₦500 million in the project.
The Financial and Emotional Toll on Filmmakers
Piracy poses a significant threat to Nollywood’s growth and sustainability. Filmmakers invest millions of naira in their projects, often without financial backing from government bodies or institutions. Piracy not only deprives them of their rightful earnings but also discourages future investments in high-quality productions.
For Funke Akindele, Everybody Loves Jenifa represents countless hours of hard work and personal sacrifice. Her plea underscores the importance of collective responsibility in protecting creative works and supporting the industry.
What Fans and Viewers Can Do
- Avoid Recording in Cinemas: Recording any part of a movie in the cinema is illegal and contributes to piracy.
- Purchase Legitimate Tickets: Support filmmakers by buying original cinema tickets or legal streaming rights.
- Report Piracy: If you see pirated versions of a movie online or offline, report them to the appropriate authorities.
- Educate Others: Spread awareness about the damaging effects of piracy on Nollywood and the artists you love.
Final Thoughts
Funke Akindele’s emotional plea is a reminder that piracy not only steals from filmmakers but also threatens the future of Nollywood. As fans, supporting creative works by respecting intellectual property rights is the least we can do to ensure the growth of the industry.
Everybody Loves Jenifa hits cinemas on December 13th—let’s show our support by watching it legally and spreading the word against piracy.