Ado Salisu
Nollywood’s festive movie season has been overshadowed by allegations of copyright infringement involving two Christmas-themed films.
The controversy centers on A Kristmas to Love, produced by Lily Perez Films, which became a Top 5 family Christmas movie on YouTube after its December release.
Viewers later accused George Hates Christmas, produced by ChinnyLove Eze, of copying key elements from Perez’s film, including storyline, characters, and specific scenes.
The backlash intensified after actor Baaj Adebule publicly confirmed he had identified major similarities between the films, raising questions about the script’s originality.
Lily Perez Films has since demanded public acknowledgement of their work, suspension of the disputed film, an official apology, and intervention by industry regulators.
Speaking to journalists, producer Lily Perez emphasised 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 called for immediate suspension of George Hates Christmas pending a review by relevant industry bodies.
“Allowing the film to circulate while these issues remain unresolved undermines trust and fairness within Nollywood,” she added, noting the reputational damage suffered by her company.
Perez further stressed that the issue is about justice, not vengeance. “Young creatives deserve protection, not intimidation. Silence now could discourage new voices and stifle creativity in our fast-growing industry,” she said.
Industry observers say the case highlights systemic power imbalances between established producers and emerging filmmakers. As Nollywood continues to expand globally, stakeholders insist that protecting originality is key to sustaining credibility and growth.
The public now awaits intervention from relevant authorities to resolve the dispute and reaffirm respect for intellectual property rights in the industry.