Key Takeaways
- Omotola Ekeinde's movie 'A Mother's Love' grossed N103,094,633 during its cinema run
- Only N22 million accrued to the producers after various deductions
- The entire N22 million was donated to Slum to School, an organisation supporting disadvantaged children
Nollywood actress and filmmaker Omotola Ekeinde has shared insights into the financial performance of her movie 'A Mother's Love', revealing that it grossed N103,094,633 during its cinema run, but only N22 million was retained by the producers after various deductions
According to Omotola, the film's total cinema gross was significantly reduced after deductions involving exhibitors, distributors, print and advertising, Value Added Tax (VAT), entertainment tax, withholding tax, and other expenses. She explained that after these deductions, the amount accrued to the producers was a mere N22 million
Donation to Charity
In a commendable gesture, Omotola disclosed that 100 per cent of the N22 million was donated to Slum to School, an organisation dedicated to supporting children from disadvantaged communities, in line with a commitment made by Red Hot Concepts
Omotola reflected on her cinema experience, stating that the movie's final cinema run was on April 19, describing the experience as challenging but rewarding. She had to withdraw the movie from cinemas due to pressing personal issues, as she did not want the film to remain in theatres without her being available to promote it and engage with audiences
Industry Insights
The actress noted that producers are expected to be actively involved in promoting their films during cinema runs, adding that showing up for the movie was a challenge she had not initially anticipated. This highlights the importance of producer involvement in the success of a film, beyond just its production
'A Mother's Love' had earlier attracted attention with its premiere in Lagos, which was attended by several personalities, including actors Rita Dominic, Toke Makinwa, and Nosa Rex, as well as former President Olusegun Obasanjo
Why This Matters
Omotola Ekeinde's experience with 'A Mother's Love' underscores the financial complexities and challenges faced by filmmakers in the Nigerian cinema industry, emphasizing the need for strategic planning and producer involvement to ensure the success of a film. The donation to charity also highlights the social impact that films can have, beyond just entertainment.