Genevieve Nnaji failed to secure a spot for 'Lionheart' - Cinema Exhibitors

The Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria has reacted to Genevieve Nnaji's alleged claims on alleged sabotage on the screening of her movie, 'Lionheart.'

In a statement by the Chairman of the association, Patrick Lee, the Cinema Exhibitors stressed that Genevieve and her team refused to secure a spot for 'Lionheart' on the film calendar that is followed by all cinemas.

"It is clear from the approach taken by the Lionheart team that these processes were not adhered to and most of our members rightly refused to take the movie," Lee stressed in his reply to Genevieve's alleged claims.

Continuing, Lee said, "It's worth pointing out that other movies such as Chief Daddy, KOB and Merry men had all been slated from early March this year. Mo Abudu, AY and Kemi Adetiba who are industry compatriots of Genevieve's followed the right approach by scheduling early for cinema release, it's not fair that they may now possibly have their screen times reduced because of the rushed inclusion of Lionheart in the cinemas."

Here's the full statement from Cinema exhibitors in Nigeria

"Hi all, as cinema exhibitors we have processes that guide us when considering a movie for exhibition in the cinema. 

"We expect the movie to come from a licenced distributor, we expect the movie to be given adequate run time in the cinemas before it is officially released on other platforms and also for our cinemas to be provided with adequate notice for the inclusion of the movie in an increasingly crowded calender. It is clear from the approach taken by the Lionheart team that these processes were not adhered to and most of our members rightly refused to take the movie. 

"It is also important to note that this movie had been signed up by Netflix months ago, thereby giving Genevieve's team ample time to secure a spot on the calender, an option they did not take until quite recently thereby ensuring the possibility of the movie not being shown by cinemas during their preferred date. 

"Genevieve has starred and produced movies for cinema exhibition in the past so should be familiar with the way the industry works which is why this is a cause for concern for us in the cinema association. 

"Finally it's worth pointing out that other movies such as Chief Daddy, KOB and Merry men had all been slated from early March this year. Mo Abudu, AY and Kemi Adetiba who are industry compatriots of Genevieve's followed the right approach by scheduling early for cinema release, it's not fair that they may now possibly have their screen times reduced because of the rushed inclusion of Lionheart in the cinemas.

"We at the cinema association are also not pleased about the attacks in the statement on some of our members and the sweeping generalisations the statement makes and expect to seek further clarification from its author before determining if further action needs to be taken.


Patrick Lee, Chairman, CEAN"

Genevieve Nnaji reportedly accused FilmOne distribution and other cinema distributors of refusing to distribute her directorial debut, 'Lionheart,' this December 2018.


The accusation was allegedly made three days ahead of the announced release date for 'Lionheart', December 21, 2018.


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