Funke Akindele, the Nigerian filmmaker, has warned the public against pirating her upcoming movie ‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’.
The highly anticipated film will hit Nigerian cinemas on December 13.
In an Instagram post on Wednesday, the actress appealed to her fans to resist the temptation of recording the movie while watching it in cinemas.
The 47-year-old movie producer also emphasised that piracy is a serious offense that affects the livelihoods of filmmakers and actors.
Akindele warned that stringent security measures will be put in place to ensure compliance from cinemagoers, adding that “pirates will be arrested”.
She also urged fans to support her by taking pictures at the standees, posting the trailers and teasers, and encouraging others to watch the movie in cinemas.
“Do not be scared. I am fine. But if you go to see my new movie — ‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’ and bring out your phone or any device you have to film it then I will not be fine,” she said.
“I know you have got mad love for me as my fan. I know you respect me so much. I know you respect me so much. I know you want to support me. I know you want to promote me. But you filming it is not you supporting me,” she said.
“Do not upload on your social media accounts. Do not bring out your phone. If you want to support me, get to the cinemas, take pictures at the standies, post my trailers, the teasers of the movies, and I would be fine.
“Because the act of you filming is called piracy. We will not encourage piracy. We will take all necessary security measures to arrest anyone caught doing it. I love my fans very much.
“It is affecting us. We need to grow more than this. We spent a lot of money on that project ‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’.”
‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’ is part of the popular Jenifa franchise, which has been entertaining audiences since 2008.
The new movie features an ensemble cast, including Layi Wasabi, Nancy Isime, Jackie Appiah, Falz, Omowunmi Dada, Chimezie Imo, Patience Ozokwor, and Stan Nze.
The film will premiere in 30 countries across six continents from December 20 to January 17.