Popular Media executive, Mo Abudu has dismissed viral claims that a cabal exists in Nollywood working with cinema owners to deny competing films access to cinema slots.
AFRIPOST gathered that numerous filmmakers and cinema goers have in recent times raised concerns on social media, alleging that certain films are removed from scheduled screenings or replaced with other titles. Others have claimed that cinema staff sometimes persuade audiences to watch different movies or change screenings after tickets have been sold.
Speaking on Arise TV on Saturday, Mo said she does not believe there is any cabal in the industry, stressing that cinema operations are driven by business considerations rather than personal relationships or sentiment.
“There is no cabal. This is not about sentiment or favouritism; it is about return on investment. If a film cannot fill seats, it will be replaced no matter who owns it. If I am running air-conditioning, paying staff, and only two or three people are sitting in a 100-seat cinema, that film will lose its slot. It is purely business,” she said.
Her comments come amid ongoing debates within the industry about how cinema slots are allocated. Some filmmakers have accused cinema operators of unfair showtime practices and poor scheduling, arguing that certain films are given limited screenings that affect attendance and revenue.
Cinema operators and industry stakeholders have, however, maintained that screening decisions are largely influenced by demand and box office performance, noting that cinemas depend on ticket sales to remain viable.
The conversation reflects wider changes in Nollywood’s cinema culture, where box office performance has become a major measure of success as theatrical releases continue to grow and compete for limited screening space during peak periods. Industry observers say films that attract larger audiences often retain more showtimes because cinemas prioritise returns on investment.