If you pirate my new film, you’ll be arrested – Funke Akindele warns

Renowned Nollywood actress and producer Funke Akindele has issued a warning against pirating her upcoming movie, Everybody Loves Jenifa.

The filmmaker issued the warning in a video posted on her Instagram page on Wednesday.

In a report by Nigeria’s Vanguard News, it mentioned that the 47-year-old actress urged her fans not to record her movie while watching it in cinemas, stressing that piracy is a serious offence that harms the livelihoods of filmmakers and actors.

She also revealed that strict security measures have been put in place at cinemas to apprehend violators, warning that anyone caught recording the movie or posting unauthorised content online would face arrest and legal action.

She also encouraged fans to support her by taking pictures with the standees, sharing the trailers and teasers, and urging others to watch the movie in cinemas. (Read more articles on Funke Akindele: Being divorced twice doesn’t make me a failure, says Funke Akindele, Funke Akindele: Women don’t need to depend on men to be successful)

Her words: “Don’t be scared, I’m fine. But if you go to the cinema to see the movie Everybody Loves Jenifa and you bring out your phone or any device you have to film it, then I will not be fine."

“I know you've got mad love for me as my fans; I know you respect me so much; I know you want to support me; I know you want to promote Everybody Loves Jenifa, but you filming it is not you supporting me."

“Do not upload on your social media account. Don’t bring out your phone. No recording. If you want to support me, go to the cinema, take pictures by the stands, and post my trailer and the teasers of the movie, and I will be fine."

“The act of filming it on the screen is piracy. We must not encourage piracy. We are taking serious security measures to arrest anyone who does that. I love my fans so much. Don’t be caught doing it because it is killing us. It is not helping our brand. We need to grow more than this. We spent a lot of money on that project ‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’.”

The new movie features a star-studded cast, including Omowunmi Dada, Nancy Isime, Falz, Stan Nze, and Jackie Appiah.