by Lovely Onohwakpor
Ini Edo, Nollywood Stars Accuse Cinemas of Unfair Screening Practices
Nollywood actress and producer Ini Edo has raised concerns over alleged unfair treatment by some cinema operators, claiming her latest film, A Very Dirty Christmas, was deliberately pushed into unfavourable screening slots across several locations.
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In a series of social media posts, Edo alleged that certain cinemas altered the movie’s scheduled showtimes, assigning it to periods with low foot traffic and, in some cases, allegedly denying its availability altogether. She said the actions significantly affected the film’s visibility and audience turnout nationwide.
According to the actress, numerous fans reached out with complaints after encountering difficulties while attempting to watch the film. In one reported case, a moviegoer was allegedly told the film was not showing at a cinema, despite evidence indicating it was listed for screening.
Expressing her frustration, Edo described the situation as discouraging and unfair, noting that audiences were actively seeking out the film only to be turned away. She accused some cinemas of intentionally manipulating showtimes to the film’s disadvantage.
The actress also claimed that cast members who visited cinemas for promotional meet-and-greet appearances were met with poor treatment, adding that such experiences reflect deeper issues within the exhibition segment of the industry.
Reacting to the controversy, lead actor IK Ogbonna publicly criticised what he described as favouritism by cinema operators. He urged stakeholders to allow all films compete fairly, warning that selective screening practices could hinder Nollywood’s long-term growth.
“This dirty game of favouritism has to stop. Every film deserves a fair chance,” Ogbonna wrote, stressing that producers and actors invest significant resources only for some cinemas to decide which films audiences are allowed to see.
The debate expanded further as actress and filmmaker Toyin Abraham shared similar allegations regarding her film, Oversabi Aunty. Speaking during an Instagram Live session, she claimed that some cinemas falsely told viewers her movie was sold out, only to redirect them to other screening halls.
Abraham alleged that tickets purchased for her film were sometimes used for different movies, insisting she had evidence of such practices. She urged fans to ensure their tickets were properly validated when attending screenings. In later posts, however, she suggested that some cinemas had responded positively and made corrections.
Filmmaker Niyi Akinmolayan also added his voice, alleging that cinemas listed his film, Colours of Fire, without actually screening it. He warned that continued misconduct would force him to publicly name those involved, describing the situation as unacceptable and damaging to trust within the industry.
The growing list of complaints has revived long-standing concerns in Nollywood about cinema transparency, with industry observers calling for stronger regulation and accountability to ensure fair access and equal opportunities for all filmmakers
