Nollywood’s festive movie season has been marred by allegations of copyright infringement involving two Christmas-themed films.
A Kristmas to Love, produced by Lily Perez Films, became a Top 5 family Christmas movie on YouTube after its December release.
Viewers later accused George Hates Christmas by ChinnyLove Eze of copying key elements, including storyline, characters, and scenes.
The backlash intensified after actor Baaj Adebule confirmed he identified major similarities and queried the script’s originality.
The controversy has revived calls for stronger copyright enforcement and protection for emerging filmmakers.
Lily Perez Films is demanding public acknowledgement, suspension of the disputed film, an apology, and industry intervention.
Speaking on the issue, producer Lily Perez told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the dispute was not about rivalry but respect for originality and intellectual labour.
“This project was born from a deeply personal story, and seeing it replicated without consent is painful and unacceptable,” Perez said.
She demanded public acknowledgement that A Kristmas to Love is the original work, saying silence would encourage creative exploitation.
Perez also called for the immediate suspension of George Hates Christmas, pending a thorough review by relevant industry bodies.
“Allowing the film to circulate while these issues remain unresolved undermines trust and fairness within Nollywood,” she said.
According to her, these immediate actions are necessary to address reputational damage suffered by her production company.
“This is about justice, not vengeance. Young creatives deserve protection, not intimidation,” Perez added.
Perez warned that failure to act could discourage new voices and stifle creativity in the fast-growing industry.
Industry observers say the case highlights systemic power imbalance between established producers and emerging filmmakers.
As Nollywood expands its global footprint, stakeholders insist that originality must be protected to sustain credibility and growth.
The public now awaits intervention from relevant authorities to ensure justice and reaffirm respect for intellectual property rights. (NAN)
