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Netflix Naija Ends Original Production For Nollywood Movies
a month ago
byChristina Ngene
Photo/ Netflix Exits Nigeria
Netflix is not exiting Nigeria as the rumours say. However, its terms and conditions will be different henceforth and it has nothing to do with inflation.
With its arrival in Nollywood in 2016, Netflix was quick to change the market for Nollywood movies for the better. The streamer made its first big mark when it decided to make originals starting with Lionheart.
The movie was the directorial debut of actress Genevieve Nnaji and it was instrumental in announcing Nollywood to the world.
Subsequently, other Netflix naija and African originals followed including Queen Sono.
After 8 years Netflix has funded several successful movie productions in Nollywood. However, that ends in 2024.
The streamer has said that it will no longer fund Nollywood production and producers will have to fund their movie projects and sell to Netflix if they are good high-quality movies.
The reason was not specified but there are suspicions.
Netflix Exits Nigeria
Netflix has had to compete with Prime Videos for the Nigerian market, but always managed to stay on the lead. Between 2020 and 2023, Netflix funded some of the biggest productions in Nollywood including Kunle Afolayan’s Anikulapo.
Netflix signed deals in 2020 with MO Abudu through her studio EbonyLife. Abudu was to create two original series and multiple Netflix-branded projects.
The film adaptation of Death And The King’s Horseman, one of the films was released on the service in 2022.
All deals end in 2024 leaving most of the movies unmade.
Netflix-funded movies in Nollywood are characterised by high quality. This was a huge advantage for Nollywood which had made only cheap low-quality movies before Netflix.