NFVCB defends ‘A Very Dirty Christmas’ title, seeks change after backlash

Nollywood Actress, Ini Edo. Photo: Instagram / @iniedo

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The National Film and Video Censors Board has defended its approval of the Nollywood film A Very Dirty Christmas, saying the title was cleared after a thorough review that found it did not insult or trivialise the Christian faith.

The Executive Director of the NFVCB, Dr Shaibu Husseini, gave the clarification on Wednesday via a series of posts on X, following public criticism of the film’s title by Christian groups.

Husseini said the film, including its title, was approved after regulators considered the narrative context and the creative intent of the producers.

According to him, the board interpreted the title as metaphorical rather than literal.

“During review, the title was interpreted as metaphorical rather than literal—understood as a reference to human conduct, moral contradictions, or social realities unfolding during a festive period, and not as an ascription of impropriety to Christmas as a sacred Christian event,” he said.

He explained that the title was assessed within the broader context of the storyline and themes, not as a direct commentary on Christmas itself.

He added that the film does not depict, reenact, mock or trivialise the nativity, the birth of Jesus Christ or any core Christian doctrine.

“There is no scene, dialogue, or imagery within the film that ridicules Christian worship or theology. In line with established regulatory principles, the NFVCB places significant emphasis on context and intent over isolated literary or semantic interpretations when exercising its statutory mandate,” he added.

However, he said the NFVCB had engaged the producers of the film in response to concerns raised by Christian bodies and communities.

He disclosed that the board requested a modification or stylisation of the title to address public sensitivities “without undermining the creative integrity and exploitation of the work”.

Husseini said such post-approval title changes were not unusual in the film industry, citing the 2019 Indian movie Judgemental Hai Kya, which was renamed after criticism from mental health professionals.

According to him, the step taken by the NFVCB was in line with the provisions of the NFVCB Act and aimed at preventing public misunderstanding and possible religious tension.

Husseini said, “Though engagement is ongoing, we are pleased to report that the producers are responding positively, and steps that will eventually be taken will be consistent with preserving goodwill among stakeholders and audiences.”

The controversy followed the release and promotion of A Very Dirty Christmas, a Nollywood film produced by actress Ini Edo, which drew criticism from the Christian Association of Nigeria and other Christian groups.

The groups described the title as offensive, arguing that associating Christmas with the word “dirty” desecrates the religious significance of the celebration, which marks the birth of Jesus Christ.

They called on the producers to apologise and urged regulators to withdraw or review the film’s approval.

In response, the producers defended the title as symbolic, saying it reflects moral conflicts and family tensions explored in the storyline rather than a commentary on Christianity.

The film has continued to screen in cinemas nationwide, even as public debate over its title intensified, prompting the intervention of the National Film and Video Censors Board.

Okiki is a journalist with over seven years experience covering politics, foreign news, society, entertainment and the film industry.

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