‘Stop stealing my films’- Veteran filmmaker Tunde Kelani cries out

By Tolulope Oke

Veteran Nigerian filmmaker Tunde Kelani has condemned the unauthorised creation and circulation of short clips from his films on social media, describing the trend as outright piracy and abuse of intellectual property.

Kelani, popularly known as TK, took to Facebook on Wednesday to voice his frustration over bloggers and social media users who extract scenes from his movies — including Saworoide, Agogo Eewo, Ti Oluwa Nile, and Thunderbolt: Magun and post them online without permission.

“This is WRONG! Cutting our films… into unauthorised reels and posting them online is not promotion. It is piracy and the destruction of our cultural work,” he wrote.

The filmmaker emphasised that films are complete creative works and should not be reduced to fragmented content for quick social media engagement or profit.

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

He called on digital content creators to respect copyright laws and support filmmakers through legitimate channels, stressing: “Please stop this practice and wickedness! Support creators by watching and sharing films through the proper channels. Let us protect, not diminish, our heritage. Stop this criminality.”

Kelani’s remarks come amid growing concern in Nigeria’s creative industry over the reposting of film scenes across Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok, often without authorisation from rights holders.

One of Nigeria’s most celebrated directors, Tunde Kelani is renowned for culturally significant films and literary adaptations, with notable works such as Koseegbe, Oleku, Thunderbolt: Magun, The Narrow Path, White Handkerchief, Maami, and Dazzling Mirage.