Kome Nathaniel

<h2>In a statement on Instagram on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB)&nbsp;warned filmmakers and skit makers in Nigeria about producing and streaming prohibited and unapproved content.</h2>

The agency highlighted its concern over the activities of certain “unscrupulous” filmmakers and skit makers. It specifically pointed out same-sex content on social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Twitter.

<a data-link-role-code="open_new_tab" href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/nfvcb-wants-to-classify-nollywood-films-not-censor/w35dvdl">The NFVCB</a> reminded filmmakers and skit makers that any direct or indirect portrayal of same-sex relationships is considered a violation of <a data-link-role-code="open_new_tab" href="https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/same-sex-marriage-bestiality-prohibited-in-nigeria-police-warn/j3b3s78">Nigerian Law</a>.

The statement read partly, “Filmmakers/Content Creators should be reminded that it is an offence to directly or indirectly make public show (exhibition) of same-sex relationship in Nigeria.”

It further stressed that without first receiving classification from the NFVCB, it is unlawful to distribute or display any film content, including skits and musical videos.

“It is also an offence to distribute or exhibit any Film or Video content including skits and musical videos on any platform without recourse to the National Film and Video Censors Board for classification,” the statement reads.

In the statement, the NFVCB assured the public that it would leave no stone unturned in its efforts to uphold the law.

“The Board therefore wishes to state categorically that we are working with relevant security agencies to track the individuals and production companies involved, and will stop at nothing to make sure they face the full wrath of the law,” the statement reads.

The National Film and Video Censors Board warns filmmakers and content creators.

NFVCB warns filmmakers, skit makers against content that shows same-sex relations

Precious 'Mamazeus' Nwogu

The filmmaker announced on May 19,<a href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/badamasi-portrait-of-a-general-set-to-debut-on-amazon-prime/08e3z0k"> a day after the film launched on the streamer</a>, that it had to be taken down due to an audio sync glitch.

"Viewers have experienced an audio sync issue halfway through BADAMASI. I and my distributor do sincerely apologize for the technical problem. We have contacted the Amazon Quality Control team to fix the issue that resulted from an upload glitch as soon as possible," Emelonye wrote on Instagram.

While announcing the film's return to screens, the director hinted at several forces influencing the film's delayed release.

"Many forces don’t want this film to come out but nothing can stop an idea whose time has come. Up again on Amazon Prime after a short break in transmission. Thanks for your patient understanding," Emelonye shared. "Delayed from being released for 3 years by red tape. Launch on Amazon prime cut shut by black tape. Watch this controversial film NOW before it is buried by green tape."

<div class="embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Delayed from being released for 3 years by red tape. Launch on Amazon prime cut shut by black tape. Watch this controversial film NOW before it is buried by green tape. <a href="https://t.co/3Jn2dhMnU4">pic.twitter.com/3Jn2dhMnU4</a>&mdash; Obi Emelonye (@obiemelonye) <a href="https://twitter.com/obiemelonye/status/1528707355155767296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Shot in 2018, the biopic portrays the former Nigerian military head of state as a man with flaws but a deep sense of patriotism. It stars&nbsp;Enyinna Nwigwe&nbsp;as&nbsp;Ibrahim Babaginda&nbsp;with Charles Inojie, Sani Danja, Yakubu Mohammed, Okey Bakassi, Kalu Ikeagwu, Julius Agwu&nbsp;and&nbsp;Erick Didie in supporting roles.

Enyinna Nwigwe plays the eponymous character in 'Badamasi'  [Instagram/@badamasi_portrait_of_a_general]

The biopic originally premiered on Prime Video on May 18

Obi Emelonye's 'Badamasi' returns to Amazon Prime following technical error

The Obi Emelonye directed 'Badamasi: Portrait of a General' will premiere on Amazon Prime on May 18, 2022, nearly three years after its anticipated theatrical release.

Originally set to premiere in cinemas, the film suffered multiple delays first rumoured to be influenced by the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB). Last year, the board's Executive Director Adedayo Thomas finally put the rumours to rest in a <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/we-need-permission-from-ibb-to-censor-badamasi-nfvcb/sw3e1d0">statement </a>where he revealed that the former Head of State had refused to give his consent for the film to be censored.

"I refuse to censor it or give classification because if you say biopic of Adedayo Thomas, Adedayo Thomas should be able to give you the approval to write about me. If I don’t give you an approval and you want to take it somewhere, I ask you where the permission is. That permission must be there before I could censor," Thomas stated.

Starring Enyinna Nwigwe in the lead role, the film follows the life of the former military Head of State and portrayed him as a man with a deep sense of patriotism amid his human flaws. In 2020, Emelonye told Pulse in an exclusive interview that Babaginda granted him rights to make the film after a four-year wait.

The official poster for 'Badamasi: Portrait of a General'  [Instagram/@obiemelonye]

The Ibrahim Babaginda biopic was shot in 2018.

Obi Emelonye's 'Badamasi' set for Amazon Prime debut, release date confirmed

&nbsp;The federal government has directed filmmakers to drop money ritual content from their movies.

According to Daily Trust, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed confirmed the new move during a media visit in Abuja.

The minister said some of the suspected ritual killers that have been arrested confessed that they learnt the ritual killings act on social media and this has called for a change by the Federal Government to sanitise social media.&nbsp;

He said, “Many have also blamed Nollywood for featuring money rituals in some of its movies, saying this has negatively influenced the vulnerable youth. To mitigate this, I have directed the National Film and Video Censors Board, the body set up to regulate the film and video industry in Nigeria, to take this issue into consideration while performing its role of censoring and classifying films and videos.

“I have also directed NFVCB to engage with stakeholders in the film industry in order to express the concerns of the government and Nigerians on the need to eschew money ritual content in their movies.

Not too long ago, the NFVCB also made the move to ban smoking in movies as they passed a non-smoking law in Nollywood movies.&nbsp;

The board's director, Adedayo Thomas revealed that the move follows evidence of the entertainment industry's influence on tobacco use and the impact on public health. Adedayo further revealed that the board will toughen awareness among film stakeholders as it moves to enforce the non- classification of Nollywood movies depicting the use of tobacco.

The film censors board also recently announced the move to ban smoking in movies.

FG to enforce new law to ban money rituals in Nollywood movies

The National Film Video &amp; Censors Board (NFVCB) has announced new plans to pass a non-smoking law in Nollywood movies.

NFVCB executive director, Adedayo Thomas made the revelation during an entertainment industry stakeholders roundtable in Lagos on Saturday 11, December, The Cable reports.

Adedayo revealed that the board's latest move follows increased concerns about growing evidence linking the entertainment industry with the increasing use of tobacco and its impact on public health, a concern mutually shared by the Federal ministry of information and culture.

“Stakeholders observed that smoking in movies and the entertainment sector is a pathway to young people embracing smoking,” the board executive said. "The tobacco industry uses a sophisticated marketing mix to promote smoking on set and in the entertainment sector."

ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/fg-announces-plan-to-regulate-netflix-and-other-streaming-services/cpvsqw3">FG announces plan to regulate Netflix and other streaming services </a>

“Entertainment stakeholders are deliberately targeted by the tobacco industry either through financial inducement, misinformation, and other subtle approaches to further glamorize smoking in the entertainment sector.”

Adedayo further revealed that the board will toughen awareness among film stakeholders as it moves to enforce the non- classification of Nollywood movies depicting the use of tobacco.

NFVCB to pass law banning smoking in Nollywood movies

The board's director, Adedayo Thomas revealed that the move follows evidence of the entertainment industry's influence in tobacco use and the impact on public health.

NFVCB moves to ban smoking in Nollywood movies

<h1>Emmanuel Manulu, a Nollywood filmmaker has served the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) a pre-action notice following the board's refusal to censor his films. </h1>

According to legal documents acquired by Pulse, Manulu claims the board denied his two films, 'Devious Fate' and 'Don't Leave Me' preview and censorship because he did not belong to an association.

Emmanuel Manulu documents [Emmanuel Manulu]

An excerpt from the document reads: "consequently, we undertook a study of the National Film and Video Censors Board Act Cap N40, laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 with its amendment in year 2016 but could not find find membership , or forced membership of "an association" as a preview or censorship criterion. We also could not find canvassing for membership of "an association", undisclosed as it is , as a statutory function of your Board".

ALSO READ:<a href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/will-nollywood-ever-get-a-burna-boy-moment-pulse-editors-opinion/f82kgse"> Will Nollywood ever get a Burna Boy moment? [Pulse Editor's Opinion]</a>

In addition to claims of an unlawful refusal to censor the films, the document reveals that the filmmaker is demanding a justification for the Board's demand for an addition N5000 for censorship fee as opposed to the statutory N25, 200 charge.

Manulu told Pulse that his woes with the Censors Board began in February when he submitted two films for censorship. He alleged that he was asked to pay an addition N5000 to aid the board with internet service subscription to download the films.

The Board later wrote to him intimating him of the new policy stating that a film's producer and director must be members of a registered guild before their films can be censored.

Manulu further revealed to Pulse that neither he nor his colleagues got a notice of the boards new policy which NFVCB executive director Alhaji Adebayo Thomas announced in a meeting with Nollywood guild leaders on March 17, 2021.

Thomas had stated in the meeting, that actors and filmmakers must compulsorily belong to any of the 13 recognized professional bodies. While it is unclear if the ED revealed that the penalty would be a refusal to censor, Manulu disclosed that his films were rejected nearly two weeks before the meeting.

The filmmaker is now claiming loss of profit and an infringement of his fundamental human right to freedom of association.

Pulse reached out to the executive director of the NFVCB for comments but did not get a response.

NFVCB Executive Director, Adedayo Thomas (News Express)

The Nollywood filmmaker is claiming huge financial loss caused by the NFVCB's new policy.

Exclusive: Filmmaker set to drag NFVCB to court over refusal to censor films

<h1>The National Film Video and Censor' Board has reaffirmed its stance on Nollywood films that portray Lesbian and homosexual acts. </h1>

This comes in the wake of recent reports confirming the <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/movies/here-is-all-you-need-about-ife-a-lesbian-love-story-directed-by-uyai-ikpe-etim/fzksjlw">ongoing production of a Lesbian themed feature film directed by Uyai Ikpe-Etim</a>.

According to Premium Times, the board's Executive Director, Adedayo Thomas announced in a recent interview that the film and its makers will be tracked and sanctioned.

“As long as it is Nigerian, it will be tracked down. Even those who are involved in it too. Before you get yourself involved in certain things, there must be contract. What is the contract? An ignorance of law is not an excuse", said Thomas.

“If you say you’re shooting a movie on the conception of lesbianism, fine, that is the work. It has not gotten to our table, when it gets to our table, we will know that this is what we are going to do.”

Meanwhile the film's producer, Pamela Addie insists the movie will not be released on YouTube or in local cinemas.

“It’s not going to be on YouTube, we are building our own platform where people can pay to watch movies like an on-demand streaming platform. Maybe if Netflix decides to show it after a year of release, why not? For now, we don’t plan to release it on any other site".

'Ìfé' follows the tale of two women who fall in love over a 3-day date but struggle with the realities of same sex love in a country overridden by sanctimony and hypocrisy. It stars MTV Shuga star, Uzoamaka Aniunoh&nbsp;and&nbsp;Cindy Amadi.

The National Film & Video Censors Board has reacted to the ongoing production of 'Ife' [NFVCB/@ife_movie]

NFVCB is targeting upcoming 'Ìfé', a LBQ film directed by Uyai Ikpe-Etim.

NFVCB threatens to track LGBT filmmakers in Nollywood

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