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The National Film and Video Censors Board has moved to stop the planned Lagos premiere of ‘Living in Colors’.
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The Board said the film has not been submitted, vetted or classified for public exhibition in Nigeria.
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NFVCB said the film’s trailer contains what it described as explicit pornography and promotes same-sex relationships.
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The Board said it is working with security agencies and has begun legal action against those behind the film.
August 28, (THEWILL) — The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has moved to stop the planned premiere of ‘Living in Colours’ in Lagos, saying the film was not submitted to the agency for classification.
The Board announced the move in a statement issued on Wednesday, August 26, after promotional materials for the film’s media press call and premiere circulated online.
According to the NFVCB, its preliminary review of the film’s trailer showed what it described as “explicit pornography” and content that promotes same-sex relationships. The Board said the film had not been submitted, vetted or classified by the agency.
The NFVCB said any public exhibition or promotion of the film would therefore be unlawful because it has not received the required classification.
The Board said it is working with federal and state security agencies to identify and stop the planned press call and premiere. It also said it had contacted the proposed venue and warned that hosting an unclassified film could lead to sanctions, including the closure of the facility and withdrawal of its operating licence.
The Board further said legal proceedings are being initiated against the production company, producers and promoters involved.
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About ‘Living in Colours’
‘Living in Colours’ is a Nigerian film produced by Prism House Studio. It was directed by Tega Idogho, written by Udo Casciavit and produced by Manuel Ruben.
The film explores the lives of five young flatmates living in Lagos as they navigate identity, ambition and their lives as queer individuals.
The movie was scheduled for a Lagos premiere this weekend at a cinema in Lekki, with an online release planned for Sunday, August 30.
The NFVCB’s classification requirements also apply to films released on digital platforms. The Board has maintained that Nigerian films intended for platforms such as YouTube must be submitted for classification before they are made available to the public.
The NFVCB’s intervention comes days before the planned release. The Board urged filmmakers, cinema operators, distributors and media platforms not to promote or facilitate the exhibition of the film.
The agency said the action is part of its responsibility to enforce Nigeria’s film classification laws and regulate the public exhibition and distribution of films in the country.
Nigeria has strict laws governing same-sex relationships and related public expression. The Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, signed into law in 2014, prohibits same-sex marriage and criminalises certain forms of public advocacy and participation related to same-sex relationships.
The law remains in force, while LGBTQ+ people and representation continue to face significant legal and social restrictions in the country.
Evi-Ben Ezaga is an entertainment and society writer with a passion for stories that explore culture, people, and the stories shaping society today.
