Filmmaker Kunle Afolayan has reignited an important conversation about value, transparency, and sustainability in Nigeria’s film industry, arguing that blockbuster cinema numbers often do not translate into meaningful returns for producers.
Speaking at the watch party of his new Netflix series – Aníkúlápó: The Ghouls Awaken – Afolayan was candid about the gap between loudly celebrated cinema milestones and the actual earnings that reach filmmakers.
According to him, impressive figures—sometimes touted in the billions—can mask a harsher financial reality behind the scenes.
“I don’t want two billion streams at the cinemas and end up receiving ten million naira,” Afolayan said, stressing that headline numbers mean little if the producer’s share remains marginal.
He explained that after deductions, fees, and distribution structures, the final amount accessible to the filmmaker is often far less than the public is led to believe.
The award-winning director also addressed ongoing conversations around competition within the industry, particularly comparisons between his KAP Film Village and Resort in Oyo State and the film village owned by actor Ibrahim Chatta.
Afolayan dismissed any notion of rivalry, saying both ventures serve different purposes and visions.
“There is no competition,” he said.
He noted that while both projects are rooted in creativity and culture, they are not attempting to do the same thing.
His comments appeared aimed at cooling speculation and reframing the narrative around collaboration rather than rivalry in the Yoruba film space.
As the discussion unfolded, veteran actress Sola Sobowale reportedly cautioned Afolayan about delving too deeply into the figures producers often boast about when their films cross certain cinema thresholds.
Her intervention underscored how sensitive—and sometimes controversial—the topic of earnings and transparency has become within the industry.
Afolayan, however, maintained his position, reiterating that the celebrated numbers can be misleading.
He argued that a film may be announced as having crossed a staggering benchmark, yet the producer might “hardly have access to ₦10 million” after all settlements are made.
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