Julius OkorieRenowned Nollywood Producer and director, Kunle Afolayan, has described the almost done and dusted Netflix exit from Nigeria as a blow below the belt.
The development according to Afolayan, who signed deal with Netflix in 2021 to make three feature films, said the development will greatly affect the income of producers who invest heavily in film making adding that the movie industry will be badly hit.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAfolayan further confirmed that the development is no rumour as Netflix management had informed filmmakers during a recent party that they would no longer fund Nigerian movies.
He thanked God that he was lucky to have completed seasons two and three of Anikulapo series, revealing however that some filmmakers got their projects cancelled.
He urged filmmakers to continue producing high-quality content regardless of the challenges posed by Netflix.
He said, “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.
“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.”
Afolayan had sealed three films deal with Netflix viz screen adaptation of Sefi Attah’s book Swallow, Anikulapo Series and Ijogbon.
Despite the Netflix shocker, afolayan who is CEO of Golden Effects Pictures, a Nigerian film and production company incorporated in 2005, is determined pursue set target.The company’s feature films include Irapada, The Figurine, Phone Swap, 1 October, Roti, Omugwo, The Tribunal, The CEO and Mokalik.
READ ALSO:Why Netflix May Leave Nigeria Soon
Why Netflix is yet to openly confirm reason for the exit plan, a top brass of the company on condition of anonymity hinged the decision of sky-rocketing inflation in the country leading to high cost of production and reduced patronage as result of high cost of living forcing consumers to tighten their belts while attending to only basics of life.
Rising inflation in the country has forced many companies in to leave for neighbouring countries and elsewhere.
The multiply effect of his include loss of jobs for Nigerians who work in the companies, reduced or complete absence of income for contractors who work with the companies and reduced purchasing power for the average man on the street.
Companies that have left Nigeria due to rising inflation include Unilever Nigeria PLC, Procter & Gamble Nigeria, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria Ltd, ShopRite Nigeria, Sanofi-Aventis Nigeria Ltd, Equinox Nigeria, and food delivery giants Bolt Food & Jumia Food Nigeria. It is estimated that no fewer than 61 companies have exited the country in the last four years.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
