Award-winning Nollywood filmmaker and actress Funke Akindele has appealed to fans to respect her latest film, Behind The Scenes, by refraining from recording or sharing clips from cinemas.
The movie, which premiered in cinemas on December 12, takes an intimate look at the emotional toll, hidden struggles, and personal battles that often accompany success and fame.
In a message to her fans, Akindele warned that recording scenes, even brief clips, and posting them online amounts to piracy and could negatively affect the film’s performance at the box office.
She urged moviegoers to support the production by promoting it responsibly and helping to protect the effort invested by the cast and crew.
“Say no to direct and indirect piracy,” Akindele wrote. “We’re super excited that Behind The Scenes is showing in cinemas, but please let’s say a big no to recording any scenes of the movie. Recording or posting clips, even short ones, is also piracy.”
While discouraging in-cinema recordings, the filmmaker encouraged fans to engage positively by sharing their reviews and taking photos at designated promotional spots within cinemas.
“Yes, take pictures at the roll-up banners and share your reviews, but no recording inside the cinema,” she added, calling on fans to spread the message among friends and family.
Akindele has previously revealed that the film was inspired by a divine message and features a strong ensemble cast, including Tobi Bakre, Iyabo Ojo, Scarlet Gomez, and Ini Dima-Okojie.
Her appeal comes amid growing concerns within Nollywood over piracy, which continues to pose a major threat to filmmakers, distributors, and the sustainability of the Nigerian film industry.
As Behind The Scenes continues its cinema run, Akindele’s message underscores the importance of audience cooperation in preserving creative work and ensuring the success of locally produced films.
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