The Nigerian film industry, Nollywood, has been plagued by numerous challenges, including favoritism and unfair treatment by cinemas.
Recently, filmmaker Pere Egbi revealed that he spent over N200 million on his film but only made N53 million in cinemas.
This revelation came after Femi Branch, a veteran Nollywood actor and film producer, called out cinemas for their alleged favoritism.
According to Femi Branch, cinemas in Nigeria have been perpetuating a culture of favoritism, where certain films are given preferential treatment over others.
This, he believes, disrupts the equilibrium of the film industry and has grave consequences for films that are not given the same level of promotion and exposure.
One of the ways in which cinemas allegedly perpetuate favoritism is by manipulating media cards for various films showcased at their venues. This, according to Femi Branch, sabotages the visibility of certain films and steers moviegoers away from a richer selection of films.
Furthermore, he claims that cinemas also engage in the skewed distribution of screen time, where some films are given generous viewing slots while others are relegated to the shadows.
Pere Egbi's experience is a testament to the challenges faced by filmmakers in Nigeria. Despite investing heavily in his film, he was unable to recoup his investment due to the lack of exposure and promotion given to his film. This is not an isolated incident, as many filmmakers in Nigeria have reported similar experiences.
The implications of this favoritism are far-reaching and have significant consequences for the Nigerian film industry.
For one, it stifles competition and creativity, as filmmakers are not given a fair chance to showcase their work.
Additionally, it leads to a lack of diversity in the films that are showcased, as only a select few are given the opportunity to reach a wider audience.
To address these challenges, there is a need for a fairer strategy in film promotion and screenings. Filmmakers, actors, and other stakeholders in the industry must come together to demand greater transparency and accountability from cinemas.
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