BBC News
"Lagos is the biggest city in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa, but until recently it did not even have any cinemas. That is all the more surprising given that Nigerians love watching films: the country is famous for its thriving and expanding home-video industry. Now, however, that has all changed, thanks to the Silverbird Cinemas."

Jitendra Sharma:
"Never ever have I heard opening of a cinema hall or a cineplex make so much news! The launch of the cineplex took almost everyone concerned with cinema in Nigeria by surprise ..."

Patricia at the Mobile Nigeria Forum:
"Any one been to the Siverbird Galleria? Nice place to watch a movie, very large screen, high quality pictures and sound system with the smell of pop corn all around you. I went there to watch "National Treasure" and I enjoyed it very much; as against watching a pirated CD at home. You guys should give it a trial (not that I am advertising for them). It is a really cool place to relax."

What do you think of the Silverbird Cinemas? Have you been there?

I have been there once and I think its a nice place but they should work on the price, because I personally will say I am a film addict and I can't be paying 1500k every movie but its a nice place to relax and unwind.

The official website of Silverbird Cinemas, which (I think) is part of Silverbird Galleria, is:
http://silverbirdcinemas.com/silverbirdcinema/

Looks like Siverbird Television is advertising both for Siverbird Cinemas and the VCD vendors on the street. I see them sell all the movies advertised to be shown at the cinemas everywhere in Lagos.

I feel what trish feels, too. I actually look out for Silverbird adverts before I make my choice in going for movies. Funny. Well, I check out some ratings too. Anyhow, the cinema idea is a cool one. I really hope it lasts.

Seun, e be like say you get bad bele with Silverbird Cinemas. Chill out, go out there one weekend and enjoy a day full of fun. I spend most of my naira there. You want to go with me?

Chawkee, I don't think it's obvious from what I wrote above, but since I am not a student I will have to pay ₦1,500 or so to watch a movie. I feel that this is too expensive.

To add insult to injury, I will have to take public transport to the Cinema venue and back home after watching the movie! I mean, I want to watch movies legally from the confort of my home, and at an affordable price.

Seun make I give you advice:

If it is too expensive as you say it is (I don't know because I haven't even smelt the place yet) then ask any always updated CD shop near you and buy 20 naira popcorn in your area, get a chilled bottle of coke (it could be two if the film is so long) and watch the movie. God I bet you will enjoy it more than I do.

Catch ya

I'm doing just that at the moment. Watching Star Wars Episode 3, 'the Revenge of the Sith' on my PC and enjoying every moment!

Too bad I can't boast of having a legal copy. The people behind Silverbird Cinemas are doing what they're doing legally, and that's probably why it's so expensive.

Yes you are right but sometimes you have to do what is wrong to do what is right, just as Nicholas Cage said in National Treasure. Anyway what is happening now in the film? (I am dying 2 watch it).

Its terrible that the ONLY films they show there are American. American cinemas show American films, chinese cinemas show chinese films, yet we think it serves us to completely ignore the creative skills of filmmakers at home and make the already full pockets of American film companies, actors, and directors even fatter. Its ok to have SOME American films, but that seems to be all that they show. I don't know when it will be possible for Nigerian films to be shown, but hopefully it will be soon....

Perhaps they are showing these films because people want to watch them

ILN:

Its terrible that the ONLY films they show there are American. American cinemas show American films, chinese cinemas show chinese films, yet we think it serves us to completely ignore the creative skills of filmmakers at home and make the already full pockets of American film companies, actors, and directors even fatter. Its ok to have SOME American films, but that seems to be all that they show. I don't know when it will be possible for Nigerian films to be shown, but hopefully it will be soon....

i believe it will be shown soon, but then..lets think of it.. u know most of the nigerian films out now re majorly craps, so why would silverbird show craps at a high price, menn they will be tarnishing their image o!
but if good movies come in succession (naija movies) it will be shown someday

ILN:

Its terrible that the ONLY films they show there are American. American cinemas show American films, chinese cinemas show chinese films, yet we think it serves us to completely ignore the creative skills of filmmakers at home and make the already full pockets of American film companies, actors, and directors even fatter. Its ok to have SOME American films, but that seems to be all that they show. I don't know when it will be possible for Nigerian films to be shown, but hopefully it will be soon....

Actually most countries in the world show American films!! Simply becuase they tend to be better quality, even in the UK most films are American.

So it is not just Naija that this happens, when our home based products get to an acceptable quality they will be shown.

In China that you mentioned they also show American films a lot and vice versa.

I wrote a review on SilverBird earlier this year, let me go and find it and post it here.

Silverbird

I visited the cinema complex known as Silverbird while in Naija and I have to give credit where credit is due.

The place is a nice joint and cannot be knocked.

The actual building is well lit and airy and is as good as any UCI complex in London and actually better than a few!!

The actual theatres themselves were upto standard and very clean, I watched two movies while in Lagos, Elektra and National Treasure.

The video and sound quality was very good and comparable to most local cinemas in Jand but nowhere near THX quality or DTS which you will get from the best cinema's in the UK, but i am sure that is only a matter of time.

The popcorn to me was the biggest surprise of all!! It was better than ANY i have EVER had, and that covers both the UK and the US!!!

I could go just for the popcorn alone!

Another big plus for Silverbird is that in the complex is a joint called Cubes which is like a bar where people can hang out and dance, while very pricey it was a classy joint.

I give Silverbird a classy 8/10

Most Bollywood films aren't exactly top notch either .

ILN:

Most Bollywood films aren't exactly top notch either .

true, but they are now producing a few gems that are being shown worldwide and even considered for Oscars, and no matter how crap the storylines thier production values are 1000% better than the Naija movies!!

So there are now movies (cinemas) in 9ja. Why in hell would u pay 1500 naira to see a movie?? it's just 7 dollars here. (oh almost d same i guess). But anyways, i like the idea. I WANNA GO TO 9JA.

hot-angel:

So there are now movies (cinemas) in 9ja. Why in hell would you pay 1500 naira to see a movie?? it's just 7 dollars here. (oh almost d same I guess). But anyways, I like the idea. I WANNA GO TO 9JA.

$7!!!

boy I dey move go yankee o!

In jand the normal price is now about £6.50 and if it is the westend then nothing less than £10!!!

Vieira:

hot-angel link=topic=25.msg6904#msg6904 date=1119418420:

So there are now movies (cinemas) in 9ja. Why in hell would you pay 1500 naira to see a movie?? it's just 7 dollars here. (oh almost d same I guess). But anyways, I like the idea. I WANNA GO TO 9JA.

$7!!!

boy I dey move go yankee o!

In jand the normal price is now about £6.50 and if it is the westend then nothing less than £10!!!

You are so welcome. Come and join us. lol

I am a new member, and believe Silverbird had done a great deal by establishing a world class cinema in Nigeria. I wish more in your plans for better things. Please do always include Nigerian home video in your film schedule. Thanks

Please do endeavour to slash the price a movie from the 1,500 to 1,000 and the 500 naira for the student can still remains. To the management of silverbird cinema. Thanks

i think the prices are a bit high compared to the ones down here

wen i went to nigeria earlier this yr i visited silver n to b honest i actually like wat i saw.

a lot of people said the cinema is international standard. Good job! but i think it shouldn't be in only one city in nigeria. do u have to travel all the way from Ibadan / Abuja to watch movies? or is there more than one yet?

i guess the price is kinda high. guess the money conversation is the problem. But when you convert it to dollars, it is about the same price over here. i

I think Silverbird Cinema, being the main or only cinema in Nigeria, should show Nigerian movies, however bad they may be. They can help to improve the quality.


I've never visited because I live on the mainland and VI is far - the last time I was in VI, I spent 2 hours in the traffic jam going and 4 hours coming back. It is usually a whole day's affair so I can't go there just to watch a film. My neighbor went there sometime ago with his kids (they watched Shark Tale). He spent so much time in the traffic jam to and fro and had to spend a lot of money buying the kids snacks on the way. He said it was a great place but he wouldn't go through all that stress to watch a movie again.

I watched Shark Tale sometime later in my house and had the luxury of going back whenever I missed something.

Silverbird is a great place for those who live near or happen to be in the area, but for those who live far, I think it isn't worth the time and expenses. Once silverbird starts advertising/showing a film, u can be sure it is already on sale. So u can try buying the film and watching it in the comfort of your home instead: film- 300, popcorn- 30, coke- 120; total- 450.

Silverbird isn't the only cinema in Nigeria and this should answer your question

'It’s wrong to think that Silverbird Cinema is all about foreign movies'
Saturday, May 27, 2006

Established two years ago, the Sliverbird Cinema has proved to be a centre of movie excellence. It has succeeded in reviving the cinema culture in Lagos.

it has even gone further than this. Now, a movie buff can sit relaxedly and enjoy his favourite flick in a comfortable environment, with his wife and children in tow. How has it been in the last two years? Blockbuster spoke with Mr Jide Azumah, General Manager, Silverbird Galleria. Excerpts:

It has been a very long road in the last two years because there was no precedent. We had to set a precedent to match our own standard. We made sure from day one that we were not guided by the so-called Nigerian standard. The impression we are trying to create in this country is for people to get value for their money like when they visit a place like this in any part of the world.

Bold moves

The history of Silverbird is replete with bold moves. Silverbird has a track record of working in uncharted waters. When we started 25 years ago with music promotion we were told that we wanted to do what nobody had done before. As young boys, we all grew up going to the cinema. We still have fond memories of the cinema. Now, it is a big shame that the only time we can enjoy good movies is when we travel outside Nigeria. For this reason, my chairman (Ben Bruce) decided to bring back the cinema culture. Today, there is a place a family can go for relaxation and that is the Silverbird Cinema. We have created an environment that we used to enjoy when we were growing up.

Silverbird Cinema and foreign movies

It is wrong for people to think that Silverbird Cinema is all about foreign movies. We are a 35mm cinema exhibition outfit. Nollywood does not shoot movies on celluloid. But what we have done is to invest on digital projectors to accommodate Nollywood movies that are converted to DVDs. Now, I am glad that a movie has just been produced on celluloid in Nigeria. It is entitled ìAmazing Graceî. We are looking forward to exhibiting the film.

Challenges

The number one challenge is that we have done what nobody has done. So, we had to set the pace. The fact that people are not used to this is also a problem. It is quite demanding to train people. But I am very proud that we are the first service company fully in the hands of Nigerians. This I believe is an achievement. It is very challenging to get people to act properly within an environment such as this.

Management style

It is simple. My style is leadership by example. There is nothing I ask my staff to do that I cannot do. I am here 18 hrs a day almost throughout the week. When I get to the office at 6.30am, I may not leave until 10 or 11pm. My staff is also committed. It is not just telling people to do it but showing them how to do it.

Motivation

Success motivates me. They say nothing succeeds like success. I must excel in everything that I do. Failure is an anathema. It doesnít exist in my dictionary. I thank God that today I have succeeded in all the tasks placed before me.

Expansion plans

We are building a Galleria in Abuja. We now have two centres. Within the next 2 years we will be in Bayelsa, Port Harcourt and precisely in Ikeja, Lagos.


Source-
http://odili.net/news/source/2006/may/27/802.html

1500 naira is simply to high a price for a Nigerian cinema. Some of you peeps can afford it and I aint hating on y'all. However not many Nigerians can afford to spend that kind of money to watch a movie. Hence the influx of pirated copies into the area. Videoclubs are still available. I wonder if the cinema is ever full. I see folks here mentioning WestEnd and Co.Yet I doubt if many of you ACTUALLY work in London and spend 7 to 10 pounds on a movie often.Great to know there's finally a cinema back at home but it's too damn expensive. I live in Poland, Central Europe and students pay $3.50 to see a movie.Anyways enjoy my brothers and sisters

omolomo, Silverbird also do a students discount as well.

And to be honest for working people 1,500 is nothing. Shebi Lagos is one of the most expensive cities in the world.

Also the westend is not £7 o! That is only during non-peak times, if you want to watch proper westend movie in the evening it is around £10.

It is not as if na everyday person dey go now.

u all are complaining about the cost of watching a movie.see i got the ans
GO MAKE URS.

the answer is when many cinema houses open the prize will come down. stop criticizing silverbird their doing their best it's hard to do biz in naija