Nollywood producers share their perspectives on the challenges of collaborating with Netflix.

The recent rumors about Netflix potentially exiting the Nigerian market have sparked concerns among Nollywood producers. Although Netflix swiftly denied the claims and reaffirmed its dedication to promoting Nigerian stories, industry stakeholders have raised issues about their experiences working with the platform.

Renowned filmmaker Lancelot Imasuen, whose historical movie Invasion 1897 was among the first ten Nigerian films acquired by Netflix, criticized the platform’s reliance on third-party arrangements. He called for a more direct relationship between Netflix and content creators, stating that the current format limits opportunities.

“While Netflix has been a significant boost to the industry, I have concerns about their acquisition approach and engagement with Nigerian filmmakers. I feel they’ve focused on a narrow section of the industry. They should provide more direct access for creators to collaborate with them. Additionally, their commissioning process should remain, but it needs to be more inclusive so other talents can be recognized,” Imasuen said.

Alex Eyengho, former president of the Association of Core Nollywood Producers (ANCOP), agreed with Imasuen’s perspective, urging Netflix to reform its processes by eliminating the use of intermediaries, or “aggregators.” He described the current system as problematic and counterproductive.

“Netflix should allow content creators and owners to work with them directly without compromising quality. The use of aggregators—who act as both referees and players—is flawed and detrimental to the industry,” Eyengho remarked.

Meanwhile, Fidelis Duker, founder of the Abuja International Film Festival, expressed that Netflix’s potential withdrawal might not significantly affect the industry, as many filmmakers already leverage platforms like YouTube for distribution.