December Is the Biggest Moment for the Cinema Economy
By Aramide Pearce, Public Relations and Communications Executive, Filmhouse Group The Christmas holiday season consistently delivers the year’s highest cinema attendance, here’s what fuels the surge. It’s the most wonderful time of the year! December cheer is in the air and the festive spirit is in full swing. This month is one of the biggest windows for movie releases worldwide. Research on cinema attendance consistently shows that audience engagement rises during the holiday season. Films released in December often outperform other months in terms of ticket sales which is driven by families seeking entertainment during school breaks, couples and groups looking for shared experiences and the general uplift in spending during the festive period. Globally, December and holiday-season releases have historically delivered some of the highest box-office grosses of the year. Classics like Home Alone (1990) and How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) achieved massive domestic and international revenue, while more recent releases such as The Grinch (2018) continue the trend. In 2025, industry analysis shows that December remains one of the highest-grossing months across multiple markets. These films benefit not only from initial excitement but also from sustained word-of-mouth, as audiences seek shared experiences during the holiday period. Families on school break, groups of friends, and couples looking for feel-good entertainment make cinema outings a popular choice, and festive-themed marketing further reinforces this trend. The social and emotional context of the holidays makes movie-going particularly attractive, creating an ideal window for engaging audiences. Kicking off the festive season on Friday 5th December was Wale Ojo’s “This Is Not a Nollywood Movie.” As the first Nollywood release of December, it set the tone for a month of exciting cinema experiences, benefiting from holiday audiences seeking family outings, shared experiences, and feel-good entertainment. Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes (BTS), releasing on Friday 12th December is a prime example of tapping into that festive spirit. Films like this not only benefit from initial excitement but also from extended word-of-mouth during the weeks between Christmas and New Year, as families and friends gather, discuss, and recommend movies to one another. Box office analysis shows that holiday films often maintain strong cinema runs well beyond opening weekends, maximizing both revenue and audience engagement. Toyin Abraham’s Over Sabi Aunty releasing on Friday 19th continues our December momentum. Hollywood is also coming in strong this season with major global blockbusters that will amplify the festive excitement. On Friday 19th December, Avatar: Fire & Ash arrives as one of the biggest worldwide releases of the year. Niyi Akinmolayan’s Colors Of Fire releasing on Thursday 24th December (Christmas Eve) further strengthens our holiday lineup. With family-friendly appeal and festive themes, it’s designed to engage audiences in one of the busiest cinema periods of the year. Following closely are two family-friendly titles on Thursday 26th December (Boxing Day) Anaconda and The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants both positioned to take advantage of the massive post-Christmas cinema rush. For us, December isn’t just another month, it is a strategic opportunity to reach audiences when they are most excited to go to the movies. By further leveraging the festive spirit, family gatherings and heightened leisure activity we position our films for maximum impact. This year, the festive season is shaping up to be truly unforgettable and we have a slate that is set to capture all the excitement.
10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Working On My First Set
By Barbara Babarinsa, Head of Production, FilmOne Studios My first experience on a film set was as a Production Assistant (PA) on a TV commercial. Since then, I’ve grown into a full-fledged producer, and while I don’t have regrets, I’ve gained insights over time that would have helped me better navigate that first experience. Below are ten key lessons I believe every first timer should know before stepping onto a film set. 1. Know the Story Before your first day, read the script thoroughly. Understand the plot, the tone, and the message. Know the key characters and familiarize yourself with the cast and crew. This helps you stay present and engaged and prevents you from looking lost or disconnected when anyone, especially a cast member or senior crew, asks questions about the production. 2. Offer Value No matter your role, always seek to fill a gap or solve a problem. Don’t just wait to be told what to do observe, identify needs, and take initiative. Value isn’t always in the title; it’s in what you contribute. 3. Be Skilled in the Role You Were Hired For Whether you’re a PA, camera assistant, makeup artist, or script supervisor, know your job well. When you’re competent, people respect your presence. If you’re not confident or knowledgeable, you may become a target for dismissal, disrespect, or being overlooked. Master your craft respect follows skill. 4. Stay Curious and Observant You must always learn. Observe everything and how departments work, how problems are solved, how people communicate. Don’t be afraid to ask questions; curiosity shows commitment and is often the first step to growth in the film industry. 5. Be Prepared Anything Can Happen As a producer, one of the most critical skills I’ve developed is crisis management. Film sets are dynamic environments. Delays, weather, technical failures, actor issues, anything can happen. You need to stay calm under pressure, think quickly, and rely on your team. 6. Build Strong Team Relationships Production is never a solo effort. You must earn the trust of your crew. When a crisis hits, the strength of your working relationships often determines how quickly problems are solved. Treat people with respect crew loyalty is built, not demanded. 7. Vet Accommodation and Feeding Early Logistics can make or break a production. Always ensure that cast and crew accommodation is clean, safe, and ready, and that food service is reliable and appropriate. Nothing causes disruption like tired, hungry, or uncomfortable people. 8. Lock Locations Properly Ensure that all locations are legally and clearly secured. There should be no room for confusion between the person who rented it to you and other stakeholders. Always get written agreements, confirm access rights, and do a final reconfirmation before shoot day. 9. Self Development is Key Always keep improving yourself. Attend trainings, ask for feedback, and take notes on set. The film industry rewards those who evolve. Being a generalist in the early stages helps too and understanding multiple departments gives you an edge as you grow. 10. Always Be Ready In production, readiness is everything. From knowing where gear is kept, to being physically and mentally prepared for long hours, your ability to anticipate needs and stay one step ahead sets you apart.
The Future of Nollywood: Our Stories, Our Growth, Our Time
By Aramide Pearce, Public Relations And Communications Executive, Filmhouse Group The Nigerian film industry also known as Nollywood has come a long way from the days of the ’90s when stars like Genevieve Nnaji, Stella Damasus, Eucharia Anunobi, Segun Arinze, and Ramsey Nouah were the names everyone knew, to now, when our industry is the third-largest film industry in the world. It has been a journey full of creativity and resilience. We still remember how quickly films were made back then, with whatever resources were on hand. Things have changed a lot since then our stories have gotten richer, production quality has improved, and streaming platforms investing in Nigerian content have finally put us on the global map. That growth is amazing, but it also brings new challenges and opportunities for all of us in the industry. So, if you are a filmmaker or creative trying to navigate Nollywood’s future, here are some tips to help you stay ahead and thrive: 1. Use Digital Platforms to Your Advantage Streaming services like Showmax are hungry for real Nigerian stories. Don’t just think of them as places to show your films. Use social media and analytics to engage your audience and grow your reach. 2. Focus on Quality Storytelling and Production Today’s viewers expect more. Better scripts, clearer sound, sharper visuals. You don’t need a huge budget to improve your film; simple things like a good microphone or editing software can make a huge difference. 3. Protect Your Work from Piracy Piracy still steals from us. Use tools like digital rights management, watermark your films, and register your work properly. Building good relationships with streaming platforms can also help keep your content safe. 4. Network Beyond the Usual Circles Collaboration will always be key. Go to film festivals, webinars, and industry events to meet new people both at home and abroad. These connections can open doors for co-productions, funding, and more distribution opportunities. 5. Keep Learning and Embrace Innovation The digital age gives us powerful tools to tell authentic, bold stories to the world. Stay up to date with things like virtual production and AI editing and keep improving your skills through workshops and courses. Yes, we still face challenges like piracy and infrastructure gaps. But Nollywood is full of resilience and creativity just like that Nigerian spirit that refuses to quit. We always find a way to make magic happen. The future of Nollywood is bright, but it’s not just the industry’s future, it’s ours too. We are excited to see where we will take it next, and we hope you are too.