The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has disclosed its intentions to prevent the planned premiere of the movie ‘Living in Colors’ after investigations showed that the film’s trailer “depicts explicit pornography and actively promotes same-sex relationships”.
The NFVCB made this known in a statement on Wednesday, explaining that the movie contains explicit and prohibited content.
The movie, produced by Prism House Studio, is set to premiere at a cinema in Lagos this weekend.
The board also stated that the film’s promotional materials are being shared online ahead of the media press call and premiere, adding that the movie was not submitted, reviewed, or classified by them, so showing or promoting it publicly is illegal.
“The attention of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has been drawn to a promotional poster and trailer circulating across media channels regarding an event titled “Media Press Call and Movie Premiere of ‘Living in Colors’” scheduled to hold this weekend at a cinema facility in Lagos,” the statement reads.
“Preliminary investigations and reports confirm that the trailer for this film depicts explicit pornography and actively promotes same-sex relationships. The Board states categorically that this film has not been submitted, vetted, or classified by the NFVCB, making any public exhibition or promotion completely illegal.
“Consequently, the Board is collaborating with federal and state security agencies to track down, disrupt, and halt the planned press call and premiere event at the designated venue.”
The NFVCB also said it had contacted the management of the exhibition centre and venue providers where the event is expected to take place.
They warned that hosting an unclassified film breaches digital and theatrical content laws and could lead to the immediate sealing of the facility and revocation of its operational licences.
The board further disclosed that it is initiating legal proceedings against the production company and the individual producers and promoters involved in the project.
“Similarly, the Board has contacted the management of the exhibition centre and venue providers, and they are hereby warned that hosting an unclassified film is a direct breach of digital and theatrical content laws, which will result in the immediate sealing of the facility and revocation of their operational licenses,” they added.
“Importantly, legal proceedings are being initiated against the production company, alongside the individual producers and promoters involved. Under the NFVCB Act and the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, it remains a severe criminal offence to make a public show or distribution of unclassified or legally prohibited content.
“The Board reiterates its absolute commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s moral, cultural, and constitutional values. Content creators, cinema operators, and media distribution platforms are strongly advised to desist from aiding the promotion of this unlawful work or face the full wrath of the law.”
The movie is also scheduled to be released on YouTube on August 30.
