Nollywood star Funke Akindele has called for a ban on canvassing in cinemas as she gears up for the release of her highly anticipated movie, Everybody Loves Jenifa.

Speaking at an Exhibitor Soirée held on November 20, 2024, at FilmHouse Cinemas, the award-winning actress and filmmaker addressed issues affecting the industry, including canvassing and piracy.

She revealed her ambitious goal of earning ₦5 billion from the movie but discouraged fans from engaging in aggressive cinema campaigning.

“I want to talk about canvassing.”

“Let’s discourage canvassing so that people don’t feel threatened,” Akindele said.

“We don’t need to start dragging people at the cinemas.”

“People know what they want to watch.”

“There’s nothing like, Don’t watch this, Don’t watch that.”

“They know and are ready to watch all the movies.”

Akindele also warned against piracy, citing last year’s pirated film A Tribe Called Judah as an example of the damage it causes.

“Please let’s be very careful, let’s be vigilant.”

“It’s our movie. We want to make money from it.”

“Imagine what we would have made if A Tribe Called Judah wasn’t pirated.”

“But we thank God.”

“This is another opportunity.”

Please protect this film for me.”

“Please, no phones,” she urged.”

Everybody Loves Jenifa promises a star-studded cast, featuring Funke Akindele reprising her role as Jenifa and Folarin ‘Falz’ Falana returning as Sege.

Other cast members include Jackie Appiah, Nancy Isime, Stan Nze, Bisola Aiyeola, Patience Ozokwor, Chimezie Imo, and Isaac Olayiwola (Layi Wasabi).

The film is set to join a competitive lineup in December, with Mercy Aigbe’s Thin Line hitting cinemas on December 13, and Toyin Abraham’s Alakada Bad and Boujee following on December 20.