Crises in FilmHouse worry stakeholders

Recent discoveries at the FilmHouse Group have shed light on alleged tensions between co-founders Moses Babatope and Kene Okwuosa.

It was gathered that several top executives, including the Head of Finance, Chief Operations Officer, General Manager, Production, Chief Marketing Officer, Head of Marketing, Chief People Officer, Head of Retail, Head of IT, Head of Cinema Development and several General Managers with cinema operations have reportedly resigned their positions in the past year.

The mass exodus is said to be a result of an atmosphere of uncertainty within the company, fueled by the ongoing power struggle between Okwuosa and Babatope.

For some months, it was gathered differences in vision and leadership styles between the duo have been an issue within the organisation.

Things degenerated recently with an announcement hinting that one of the managing directors may end up stepping down to pursue a new path in the industry, as having two captains on a ship may not be possible.

Meanwhile, Babatope is on the verge of launching his own media and entertainment company, signaling a significant move in the Nigerian film industry. Babatope’s new venture, which is expected to focus on film production, distribution, and cinema, has generated considerable anticipation among industry observers keen to see his next move following his departure from FilmHouse Group.

While the public launch of his new company is still pending, Babatope has addressed speculations regarding a non-compete agreement with Filmhouse Group. “There are rumors of a non-compete with FilmOne and Filmhouse, but that is untrue,” Babatope stated, debunking the circulating misinformation.

“The plan is bigger than Moses Babatope; it’s not just another entertainment venture. The plan is to grow the industry 10 times bigger. We’re innovating, disrupting, and creating new revenue lines for the industry,” he added.

Babatope’s reputation as a dealmaker and extensive industry experience has attracted considerable interest from both local and international players in the film sector. His track record of keeping promises and his vision for industry growth have positioned him as a key figure to watch in the evolving landscape of African cinema.

His journey in the film industry began with over two decades of experience in cinema operations and management. As the co-founder of FilmHouse Group and the pioneering Managing Director of FilmOne Entertainment, his leadership has led to the production and executive production of more than 40 of Nollywood’s biggest titles, contributing significantly to the industry’s growth and international recognition.

His role in pioneering the distribution and exhibition of African films worldwide has been noted by industry experts, with major international distribution deals secured under his tenure, including partnerships with Hollywood giants like Disney, Warner Brothers, Sony, Netflix, Prime Video, and Warner Brothers. He also spearheaded the first ever corporate financing of films through the creation of the West African Film Fund partnering with Huahua Media of China and Empire Entertainment of South Africa to fully finance or co-finance titles.