The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Niyi Akinmolayan

  • Niyi Akinmolayan slams cinemas over ‘Colors of Fire’ screening issues

    Niyi Akinmolayan slams cinemas over ‘Colors of Fire’ screening issues

    Filmmaker Niyi Akinmolayan has expressed his frustration with cinemas over the screening of his newly released film, ‘Colors of Fire’.

    In a post on Instagram, Akinmolayan accused cinemas of deliberately misleading moviegoers, saying they are showing the film on their websites, collecting money from people, and then telling them it’s not showing when they physically show up.

    Akinmolayan warned that if the cinemas don’t “fix up” by the end of the day, he will name and shame them, posting their names online.

    He emphasised that cinemas have the right to decide their own showtimes and can choose not to show a film if they don’t like it, but they must not deceive people into buying tickets.

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    He wrote, “I already have three and you know yourselves!! If you don’t fix up today, I will post your cinemas and the names of your managers!!!

    “If by end of day, you don’t fix up, I am going to name all the cinemas that have Colours Of Fire on their website, collected money from people and are refusing to show them the film.

    “Cinemas have the right to decide their own showtimes. Infact they can choose not to show a film if they don’t like it. What they must not do is make people buy tickets, come to cinema and then tell them the film isn’t showing. It’s deliberate and it’s wicked. Not on my watch!”

  • Why actors shouldn’t sign restrictive contracts, by Niyi Akinmolayan

    Why actors shouldn’t sign restrictive contracts, by Niyi Akinmolayan

    Award-winning filmmaker Niyi Akinmolayan has publicly urged actors to stop accepting contractual clauses that prohibit them from promoting other local films, warning that such restrictions stifle the growth of Nollywood.

    In a statement on social media, the CEO of Anthill Studios emphasised his understanding of actors’ financial needs while imploring them to reject deals that limit their ability to support multiple projects.

    He highlighted Nollywood’s limited resources and positioned actors as essential contributors to the industry’s expansion, advising them against self-imposed limitations.

    The statement came amid growing concerns over exclusivity clauses increasingly inserted into cinema and streaming deals.

    These clauses typically bar actors from publicly supporting or appearing in promotional materials for competing Nigerian projects during a specified window, often for several weeks or months surrounding a film’s release.

    Speaking to the economic reality facing most Nollywood actors, Akinmolayan acknowledged the pressure to accept such terms but argued that the long-term damage to the industry outweighs short-term financial gain.

    He wrote, “Actors… I know you all need money. But please stop signing contracts that tell you not to promote other films you are in. Nollywood is not that rich (Far from it), and you are worth more… you are a part of the necessary ingredients for growth in the industry. Don’t stifle yourself.”