Nollywood actress and producer Fathia Williams has expressed frustration over what she describes as unfair treatment of her film by cinema operators, citing poor scheduling as a major concern.
In a video shared on her Instagram page on Friday, May 29, 2026, the actress called out cinema chains for assigning unfavourable screening times to her movie, Efunroye: The Unicorn, making it difficult for fans to watch.
The historical epic, which marks her debut as a cinema producer, premiered nationwide on May 1, 2026, and tells the story of the legendary Madam Efunroye Tinubu. Despite generating significant buzz online and attracting attention at the box office, Williams said its impact has been limited by inconvenient showtimes.
“Since my movie got to the cinemas, I have been complaining about this thing over and over. My fans come to the cinema to watch Efunroye and they find out the time slot is 12pm or 9pm. Which fans will come and watch movies at this time?” she said.
She further explained that the recent Ileya holiday period, which typically attracts large cinema audiences, was a missed opportunity due to the film’s scheduling.
“We just celebrated Ileya and these holidays are the best time to showcase my movie, but my fans were not allowed to watch it. I am sad about this. Later they will say your movie did not sell out when it’s the operators that did not give the movie a good time slot,” she added.
Williams also assured fans that she would continue to speak out on the issue while encouraging them to support the film whenever possible.
The situation highlights a broader challenge within Nollywood, where independent and indigenous filmmakers often struggle to secure prime-time slots in cinemas. Industry stakeholders have long debated the issue, with many producers arguing that poor scheduling creates a cycle of low attendance, which is then used to justify pulling films from rotation.
Other filmmakers, including Ini Edo and Toyin Abraham, have previously raised similar concerns, accusing cinema operators of favouring certain productions and limiting the exposure of others.
However, cinema operators have maintained that scheduling decisions are driven by demand and profitability. According to industry executives, prime-time slots are typically allocated to films that attract higher audience turnout, as operating large cinema halls with low attendance results in financial losses.
Despite the ongoing debate, Fathia Williams remains focused on promoting Efunroye: The Unicorn, describing the project as a deeply personal milestone dedicated to preserving history and honouring legacy.
