Nollywood actress and producer Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde has disclosed how much her film A Mother’s Love generated during its cinema run, offering an insight into how various deductions affect a movie’s box office earnings.
In a video shared online, Omotola said the film recorded a total cinema gross of N103,094,633.
However, the amount that ultimately accrued to the producers was significantly lower.
According to the actress, the producers received N22 million after deductions were made from the gross revenue.
She explained that the deductions included payments to exhibitors and distributors, advertising expenses, VAT, entertainment tax, withholding tax and other charges associated with the cinema release.
Despite the difference between the film’s gross and the amount received by the production team, Omotola said the cinema run represented an important experience for her as a producer.
She revealed that the film’s final cinema screening was held on April 19, describing the experience as challenging because she had to personally participate in cinema runs and promote the project.
“Our last cinema run was on the 19th of April; it was a beautiful day. I had a nice time at the cinema, and it was my first time doing cinema runs,” she said.
Omotola acknowledged that the experience pushed her outside her comfort zone as a producer.
“It was a challenge, but I rose to the challenge, I believe. You know, as a producer, you have to show up, and that was a challenge I wasn’t ready for,” she added.
Why she pulled the film from cinemas
Omotola also disclosed that the film was withdrawn from cinemas earlier than initially planned because of pressing commitments.
She said leaving the movie in cinemas without being available to promote it would have undermined the project.
“Unfortunately, that week, I had to pull the movie out of the cinema because of pressing issues,” she explained.
The actress said she believed the decision was necessary because she would not have had enough time to promote the film or maintain the level of presence expected during its cinema run.
N22m donated to charity
Omotola further disclosed that the N22 million accrued to the producers was donated to Slum to School, a non-governmental organisation focused on supporting children and young people.
She said the donation was made in line with a commitment previously announced by her production company, Red Hot Concepts.
The actress’s disclosure has drawn attention to the gap between a film’s headline box office figure and the amount that eventually reaches producers after industry deductions.
For Omotola, however, the cinema run ultimately carried significance beyond its financial returns, with the proceeds supporting a charitable cause.
