The potential exit of Netflix from the Nigerian market has caused a stir among Nollywood producers, despite the streaming giant refuting the rumors and reaffirming its commitment to investing in Nigerian stories.
In response to this news, director and producer Lancelot Imasuen criticized Netflix’s third-party arrangement and called for direct dealings between the platform and content creators.
Imasuen, whose film “Invasion 1897” was one of the first 10 films acquired by Netflix in Nigeria, expressed concerns about the platform’s acquisition format, stating that it limits opportunities for Nigerian filmmakers.
He emphasized the need for Netflix to open its doors to content creators, allowing them to deal directly with the platform and democratize the commissioning process.
Former president of the Association of Core Nollywood Producers (ANCOP), Alex Eyengho, echoed Imasuen’s sentiments, urging Netflix to remove the current system of middlemen, or “aggregators,” and provide more direct access for content creators.
Eyengho emphasized the importance of upholding standards while democratizing the process to benefit all filmmakers.
Meanwhile, Fidelis Duker, founder of the Abuja International Film Festival, believes that Netflix’s potential exit may not have significant implications for the movie industry, as many practitioners are already operating on platforms like YouTube.
