Ini Edo Appeals to NFVCB, CAN Over Controversial Film Title A Very Dirty Christmas
Nollywood actress and producer Ini Edo has appealed to the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) not to withdraw her new movie, A Very Dirty Christmas, from cinemas nationwide following objections to its title.
In an emotional video released on social media, the actress apologised to CAN and members of the Christian community who expressed concerns that the film’s title was offensive to the Christian faith. Edo, visibly distressed, clarified that she did not intend to insult or ridicule Christianity, explaining that the title was chosen solely because the story is set during the Christmas period.
She disclosed that significant financial resources had already been committed to the project, including extensive promotions across more than 70 cinemas nationwide.
According to her, she had already begun withdrawing promotional materials and reprinting new ones after agreeing to change the title of the film.
The actress further revealed that branded souvenirs such as T-shirts, caps and other gift items had already been produced, adding to the financial burden. She therefore pleaded for understanding and requested additional time to fully implement the changes, citing the scale of her investment in the movie.
The controversy has sparked wider conversations within the entertainment industry, with some commentators arguing that the inclusion of the word “Christmas” alongside the adjective “dirty” made the title sensitive, regardless of the film’s message.
Others have questioned how the title initially passed regulatory approval, calling for more thorough scrutiny during the screening and approval process.
Ini Edo expressed hope that her apology would be accepted and that the matter would be resolved amicably, allowing the film to remain in cinemas under a revised title.
