Tunde Kelani condemns piracy, mutilation of films for media monetisation

Veteran Nigerian filmmaker Tunde Kelani has condemned the unauthorised cutting and circulation of his films on social media platforms for monetisation, describing the practice as piracy and a serious threat to Nigeria’s cultural heritage.

Kelani raised the alarm over the fragmentation of some of his classic productions into short online clips without his consent, warning that such actions undermine the integrity and artistic value of the works.

The acclaimed director cited titles such as Saworoide, Agogo Eewo, and Ti Oluwa Ni Ile, lamenting that they were being broken into unauthorised reels and shared online to generate quick revenue.

“This is wrong. Cutting our films — Saworoide, Agogo Eewo, Ti Oluwa Ni Ile — into unauthorised reels and posting them online is not promotion. It is piracy and the destruction of our cultural work.

“A film is a complete story, not fragments for quick views to make quick money illegally. This is stealing openly,” he said.

He urged members of the public to stop the practice and instead support filmmakers by watching and sharing films through legitimate distribution channels.

Kelani further called on Nigerians to protect the nation’s creative heritage by respecting intellectual property rights and discouraging online piracy, stressing that safeguarding original works is vital to the continued growth of the country’s film industry.