‘A Very Dirty Christmas’: Ini Edo Appeals to NFVCB Amid Calls for Film’s Withdrawal

The actress says the controversial title is symbolic, not sacrilegious, and urges regulators to judge the film by its story rather than its name.

Popular Nollywood actress and filmmaker Ini Edo has made an emotional appeal to Nigeria’s film regulators, asking that her new movie, A Very Dirty Christmas, not be pulled from cinemas following backlash from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

In a video shared on her verified Instagram page on Monday, the 43-year-old actress pleaded with authorities to allow the film remain in circulation, stressing that its title was never intended to offend religious sensibilities.

“I’m just begging to say, please, I did take money from investors to do this film,” Edo said. “If you pull it just because of the title, perhaps you should see the film. If it dishonours Christians in any way, if it dishonours God in any way, I will pull it.”

She urged religious leaders and regulators to watch the film before reaching conclusions, insisting that its narrative does not ridicule Christianity or undermine the spiritual meaning of Christmas.

“All I’m begging you, my fathers and my mothers, go and watch this film and see if it degrades Christians and God. If it does, I will pull it,” she added.

Ini Edo explained that the title was deliberately metaphorical, chosen to provoke conversation and reflect the film’s storyline rather than disrespect God, Christians, or religion. According to her, the wording was approved during production and raised no red flags at the time.

The film, produced by the Akwa Ibom-born actress, drew criticism from CAN, which described the title as offensive and inappropriate for a sacred Christian celebration.

In a statement, the Christian body said Christmas represents “purity, peace, love, and redemption,” arguing that associating it with the word “dirty” diminishes its spiritual significance and turns a solemn religious observance into something sensational.

Responding to the criticism, Edo said she would never have participated in a project she believed would dishonour her faith.

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“If I had any reservation from anywhere, we would not have used the title,” she said. “I would never have been part of anything that I felt would dishonour God, because the only reason I’m here is because of God.”

While maintaining that there was no malicious intent behind the title, the actress apologised to anyone who felt offended and indicated a willingness to reconsider it.

“I’m so sorry. We will try to change the title,” she said.

Amid the controversy, the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) clarified that A Very Dirty Christmas was duly approved and classified after undergoing the required censorship process. The board said the film was examined within its narrative and thematic context before approval.

However, the NFVCB noted that it retains the legal authority to order the withdrawal of any film from exhibition for further review if such action is considered necessary in the public interest.