Anikulapo Producer Kunle Afolayan Speaks on Effect of Netflix's New Plan For Nollywood
- Movie streaming platform Netflix has quietly changed its operating plan in Nigeria eight years after it launched in the country
- According to the reports, the international streaming platform is yet to offer any explanations for their decision
- Nollywood producer Kunle Afolayan, while speaking at the 2024 Zuma Film Festival, also confirmed Netflix's new plan
- In a chat with Legit.ng, Tunde Kelani, one of the pioneers of filmmaking in Nigeria, shared what would happen if Netflix decides to leave
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International movie streaming platform Netflix changed its operating tactics in Nigeria eight years after it launched in 2016. Still, it has been kept away from the public, although major stakeholders in the Nollywood movie industry were aware of it.
According to Nollywood Wire, Netflix changed its operating system in November 2024, rejigging the financial support streaming platforms provided to produce Nigerian content.
Source: Instagram
Netflix was said to have quietly called their frequent collaborators and told them the news that they would be cutting back on acquiring Nigerian content.
However, Netflix's reason for action is yet to be known, as the platform has yet to provide an official statement.
Legit.ng recalls reporting that Nigerian movies like Kunle Afolayan's Anikulapo gained international recognition on Netflix after its release.
Kunle Afolayan speaks on Netflix's exit
The renowned Nigerian filmmaker, speaking at the 2024 Zuma Film Festival, confirmed that Netflix had stopped commissioning new Nigerian originals.
Afolayan disclosed that unlike many of his colleagues, he was fortunate to have secured a third season for his hit series Anikulapo before the platform decided.
He revealed that some of his colleagues were not that lucky as other Nollywood development projects were cancelled.
Afolayan, who described it as a big blow to the industry, also saw it as a wake-up call for the movie industry.
Watch the video of Kunle Afolayan speaking about Netflix's exit below:
People react to Netflix's exit
Legit.ng captured some of the comments, read them below:
mosaalabi:
"I'm beginning to think that our silence about social issues as a nation is a reflection of the boldness of our filmmakers. Maybe."
y__maestro:
"This is wild."
akinyemithefirst:
"Omoh! These are the issues! What is going on?"
amahegbuta:
"I've been waiting for a press release about this since way back I heard the news."
thesadiqibrahimbooth:
"Very serious issue…. Shouldn’t be swept away."
Nollywood will adapt if Netflix leaves - Tunde Kelani
According to Tunde Kelani, a seasoned filmmaker, there is a huge demand for Nigerian content beyond Netflix.
The filmmaker stated that Nollywood existed before Netflix and other online platforms, and the industry would continue to stand if they decided to leave.
He said,
"Nollywood has been in existence before Netflix and other platforms. Our own product started from being local and supported by our Nigerian audience, who have contributed to the growth of Nollywood, and that was what led to the attention on Nigeria in the first place.
The world has changed completely and we are responding to new technologies. Nollywood is quite adaptive and resilient. It shows we can cope with any technology we can use to tell our own stories. Other platforms are opening up, as some leave, some will come in. There is a huge demand for Nigerian content, not necessarily Netflix. It depends on the company's policy. If they decide to reduce their activities in Nigeria, we will adapt and move on. There is a huge demand for Nigerian content."
Controversy trails Lateef Adedimeji's Lisabi movie
Meanwhile, Legit.ng also recalled reporting that Lateef's choice to have Niyi Akinmolayan direct Lisabi sparked uproar online.
Netizens expressed disappointment over the actor's collaboration with Akinmolayan owing to the latter's stance on national issues, which have been divisive among online users.
They also threatened to boycott the movie.
Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.
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Source: Legit.ng
