NFVCB Moves to Halt ‘Living in Colours’ Premiere, Threatens Venue Over Unclassified Film
The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has moved to stop the planned Lagos premiere of Living in Colours, citing concerns over the film’s promotional material and its failure to obtain regulatory classification.
In a statement, the board said preliminary investigations into the film’s trailer showed what it described as explicit pornographic content and material promoting same-sex relationships.
The planned media press call and premiere are scheduled to take place at a cinema facility in Lagos this weekend.
According to the NFVCB, Living in Colours has not been submitted to the board for vetting or classification, which it said is required before a film can be publicly exhibited or promoted in Nigeria.
The regulator said it is working with federal and state security agencies to prevent the scheduled event from taking place at the proposed venue.
The board also said it had contacted the management of the exhibition centre and venue providers, warning them against hosting the film in its current status.
It warned that allowing an unclassified film to be exhibited could result in the facility being sealed and its operational licences revoked.
Beyond the planned premiere, the NFVCB said it had commenced steps toward legal action against the production company, producers and promoters associated with the film.
The board further cited the National Film and Video Censors Board Act and the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act in asserting its regulatory and legal position on the exhibition and distribution of prohibited or unclassified content.
The NFVCB’s intervention comes as the planned premiere of Living in Colours faces regulatory scrutiny before its scheduled public showing in Lagos.
