 |
| Image:X |
Nollywood actress and filmmaker Toyin Abraham has publicly called out some cinemas in Nigeria, accusing them of unethical practices that she claims are affecting the earnings of her latest movie.
The actress made the allegations during an emotional Instagram Live session, where she expressed frustration over what she described as foul play in the ticketing process.
According to Toyin Abraham, some cinemas have been telling moviegoers that her film is sold out when, in reality, tickets are still available.
She alleged that this misleading information discourages potential viewers from purchasing tickets and directly impacts the movie’s box office performance. The filmmaker insisted that these claims do not reflect the true situation at the cinemas involved.
Speaking candidly during the live session, Toyin revealed that despite the huge effort, time, and financial investment she put into producing the movie, the returns have been far below expectations.
She noted that this has been particularly painful, considering the sacrifices made to ensure the film met high production standards and appealed to audiences.
The actress further alleged that some cinemas are engaging in ticket swapping, a practice she suggested may be contributing to the discrepancy between audience turnout and reported ticket sales.
While she did not name specific cinema chains, her comments implied that the issue is widespread and not limited to a single location.
Toyin Abraham stressed that filmmakers depend heavily on transparent ticket sales to recoup investments and fund future projects. She explained that when cinemas manipulate ticket availability or sales records, it doesn’t just hurt one producer but threatens the sustainability of the entire Nollywood industry.
According to her, such practices discourage creativity and make it harder for filmmakers to take risks or invest in quality productions.
The Instagram Live session quickly gained attention online, with clips circulating across social media platforms. Fans and industry colleagues flooded the comment sections with mixed reactions.
While many expressed support for Toyin and praised her courage for speaking out, others called for concrete evidence and urged regulatory bodies to step in and investigate the claims.
This is not the first time concerns have been raised about transparency in Nigeria’s cinema distribution system.
Over the years, several filmmakers have quietly complained about discrepancies between reported ticket sales and actual audience turnout, though few have spoken as openly as Toyin Abraham did.
The actress emphasized that her decision to go public was not driven by personal anger but by a desire for fairness and accountability.
She called on cinema operators to operate with integrity and appealed to industry stakeholders to address the issue before it causes long-term damage to Nollywood’s growth.
As of the time of reporting, the cinemas mentioned indirectly in the live session have not issued an official response.
However, Toyin Abraham’s allegations have reignited conversations about revenue transparency, filmmaker–cinema relationships, and the need for stronger oversight in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
Toyin Abraham has called out some cinemas during an Instagram Live session, accusing them of foul play — She alleged that certain cinemas are falsely claiming her movie is sold out when tickets are still available. According to her, despite the massive effort and investment she… pic.twitter.com/lgqrY9n6x8
— Dami’ Adenuga (@DAMIADENUGA) December 26, 2025
No comments:
Post a Comment