Kunle Afolayan recently revealed that Netflix has stopped commissioning Nigerian originals.
The renowned Nigerian filmmaker broke the news at the 2024 Zuma International Film Festival in Abuja.
Afolayan disclosed that Netflix’s management informed some filmmakers that they would no longer fund Nigerian movies.
The 50-year-old filmmaker also expressed disappointment, saying that the development will greatly affect the income of producers who invest heavily in filmmaking.
He also urged filmmakers to continue producing high-quality content, regardless of the challenges posed by Netflix.
“They invited our filmmakers to a party. But before then they had spoken to people they had been dealing with, saying ‘Look, we are pulling out’. What you might call a fatal last supper. Things like that should provoke us because if you do not have challenges like that you cannot see opportunities. We cannot rely on them anymore,” he said.
“Whatever it is you do if you make a conscious effort to be intentional when it comes to the kind of content that you make, the world will seek. The world will find you. The work will speak for itself.
“I think we should continue what we do. Whether it is in English, Ibibio, or any native language. As long as the story has universal appeal and then the production value is highly considered, you will get on several platforms.
“Coming to Netflix. It is heartbreaking. It is a big blow for us. In my head, I have been thinking about how can we go from earning dollars in films to now thinking about where we will put our films.
“Three years ago, when we signed a three-film deal with Netflix. It was like we were given a contract that in the next three years, we really do not care if you work for other people or do other things, make one film for us per year on being creative because these things are guaranteed and you have funds to make them. The budget you are being given is primarily tied to what they are getting in Nigeria.
“Thank God we have shot seasons two and three of Anikulapo. Because all the other people who were commissioned at the same time as us, their projects were cancelled.”
Kunle Afolayan confirms Netflix has halted production of Nigerian original content pic.twitter.com/lqvWBZxcQA
— CableLifestyle (@CableLifestyle) December 4, 2024
Although Afolayan did not explicitly state that Netflix was exiting the Nigerian market, he emphasized the need for collaboration between the government and stakeholders to save the movie industry.
Netflix dismisses rumour of exiting the Nigerian market
In a surprising turn of events, a Netflix spokesperson denied reports that the company is exiting the Nigerian market.
According to TechCabal, the spokesperson reaffirmed Netflix’s commitment to “invest in Nigerian stories”.
“We are not exiting Nigeria. We will continue to invest in Nigerian stories to delight our audience,” the statement reads.
In 2020, Netflix announced plans to increase its investment in Nigeria, sponsoring its first African original series in the country.
Since then, the streaming platform has worked with Nigerian producers like Mo Abudu and Afolayan and contributed significantly to the production of high-grossing indigenous movies, including ‘Anikulapo’, ‘Elesin Oba’, ‘Citation’, and ‘Jagun Jagun’.
Last month, Netflix hosted a glamorous ‘Light, Camera… Naija’ event to celebrate its partnership with Nigerian filmmakers and stakeholders.
Copyright 2024 TheCable. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from TheCable.
Follow us on twitter @Thecablestyle