Faithia Williams Appreciates Fans as Efunroye Battles Screening Concerns

Faithia Williams appreciates fans’ support for Efunroye despite ongoing concerns over limited cinema screenings nationwide

Faithia Williams has expressed gratitude to supporters of her historical drama, Efunroye: The Unicorn, days after raising concerns over alleged sabotage and reduced screenings of the film in cinemas across Nigeria.

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In a message shared on Instagram, Williams thanked fans and cinema-goers who have supported the project since its release, describing their encouragement as invaluable to the film’s journey.

The actress said the movie had performed strongly despite being released during a non-festive period, traditionally considered a challenging window for cinema attendance.

“A huge thank you to everyone who has been supportive of the Efunroye journey since it hit cinemas,” Williams wrote, urging audiences to continue watching the film in cinemas nationwide.

The appreciation comes shortly after Williams publicly accused some cinemas of sidelining the movie by reducing the number of available screenings despite what she described as audience demand.

According to the filmmaker, some viewers reported difficulties finding suitable screening times for the film.

Premiering on May 1, Efunroye: The Unicorn chronicles the life of Madam Efunroye Tinubu, one of the most influential and debated figures in Yoruba history.

The film seeks to explore her legacy and impact on pre-colonial Nigeria.

Williams’ concerns have added to growing conversations within Nollywood about cinema distribution practices and the challenges filmmakers face in securing fair screening opportunities.

Earlier, Rotimi Salami appealed for support after revealing that poor ticket sales could lead to his film being removed from cinemas.

The actor said concerns about the movie’s performance had contributed to his reduced activity on social media.

Similarly, IK Ogbonna recently criticised what he described as politics and manipulative tactics within Nigeria’s cinema industry.

Ogbonna argued that filmmakers invest substantial resources into their productions and deserve a fair opportunity to reach audiences and recover investments.

The actor also previously defended fellow actress Ini Edo during a dispute involving the Christian Association of Nigeria over the title of one of her films.

Ogbonna maintained that creative professionals should be allowed to exercise their artistic rights without undue external interference.

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Despite the challenges surrounding cinema distribution, Williams struck an optimistic tone, encouraging supporters to continue backing the film as it remains on screens nationwide.