Nollywood actor Deyemi Okanlawon has shared fresh insight into how the Nigerian film industry is changing. In a recent chat on Channels TV, he talked about why more filmmakers are now choosing YouTube over traditional cinema releases.
According to him, getting a film into the cinema is not easy—especially for independent creators. He explained that the process is expensive, time-consuming, and often full of roadblocks. “Taking a film to the cinema, it’s really difficult for an independent filmmaker,” he said, adding that the structure doesn’t favour newcomers.
YouTube, on the other hand, offers more freedom. No need to battle for screen slots or spend millions on promotion. Okanlawon noted that there are no politics or gatekeepers, which makes YouTube a fair space for anyone with a good story.
Even with box office hits, filmmakers don’t take home as much as people think. Using his own 2023 film as an example, he revealed it made over ₦130 million, yet the actual profit didn’t match up. After taxes and cinema shares, what’s left is barely enough to cover costs.
He also spoke about Netflix’s cooling interest in Nollywood. According to him, the platform was searching for a Nigerian hit that could go global like Squid Game or Money Heist, but hasn’t quite found one yet.
Still, Deyemi Okanlawon remains passionate. Whether it’s Netflix, cinema, or YouTube, he says, “I’m going to give my 100%.”
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