Streaming African films has never been easier: platforms like Netflix have been putting good money into films from across the continent.
For directors and actors, this is a welcome chance for them to share their work with the world.
“Before Netflix, we were always struggling to ensure that our films got distributed,” says Nigerian director Kunle Afolayan.
And, amid a pandemic, streaming platforms have also given film-makers some unexpected income.
Mr Afolayan himself has just signed a deal to produce three feature-length films with Netflix.
“For somebody to come and say ‘look, we’re giving you work for the next three years’ is also a very good gesture,” he says.
But there are others in the industry who question how much streaming platforms can actually do, when it comes to sharing their work across the continent.
“If my film is there [on Netflix], it’s for Western people, not Africa. Because it’s not the way for me to reach people [in the continent],” says Cameroonian director Rosine Mbakam.
“People in Africa will not have [my film], because they don’t have the money to have Netflix,” she says.
So, is Netflix really a lifeline for the African film industry?
Source: BBC
