Veteran Nigerian filmmaker Tunde Kelani has strongly condemned the growing trend of cutting films into short clips and uploading them on social media without permission, describing the practice as piracy and a direct threat to creative rights.
In a post shared on his Instagram page on Thursday, the acclaimed director criticised bloggers and social media users for slicing scenes from full-length films and reposting them online for engagement and profit.
He warned that such actions undermine the artistic and commercial value of the original works.
“This is WRONG! Cutting our films; Saworoide, Agogo Eewo, Ti Oluwa Nile, Thunderbolt: Magun — into unauthorised reels and posting them online is not promotion. It is piracy and the destruction of our cultural work,” Kelani stated.
He emphasised that films are designed to be experienced as complete stories, not fragmented snippets for quick online consumption.
“A film is a complete story, not fragments for quick views to make quick money illegally. This is stealing openly,” he added.
Kelani further urged content creators and digital audiences to respect copyright laws and support filmmakers through proper distribution platforms.
“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,” he said.
His warning reflects growing concern across Nigeria’s film industry, where unauthorised reposting of movie clips on platforms such as Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok continues to affect distribution, ownership control and revenue generation.
Kelani, widely respected for storytelling that explores Nigerian culture and society, has built a celebrated catalogue of films including Koseegbe, Oleku, The Narrow Path, White Handkerchief, Maami and Dazzling Mirage, many of which have faced piracy challenges over the years.