Amazon’s Going to Nollywood – and Its Deals with Studios Could Shake Up One of the World’s Most Prolific Filmmaking Hubs

When a behemoth like Amazon knocks on your door, you can bet that change is in store. In the company’s ongoing quest for new content, they have targeted the bastion of African flimmaking, Nollywood, and they are striking deals that could transform the industry. Chinaza Onuzo, co-founder of Inkblot Productions, the studio behind domestic hits “The Wedding Party” and “Up North,” told CNN Business the company has signed a three-year licensing deal running through to 2024. The deal will see Inkblot’s upcoming releases move onto Amazon’s platform after showing in cinemas. “We jumped at the deal,” says founder and creative director at Anthill Studios, Niyi Akinmolayan. “We’ve practically doubled the size of our budgets … we’ve become a lot more ambitious with the kind of stories we want to tell.” Anthill Studios produces original features and animation, releasing titles including “Prophetess” and “Day of Destiny” (the latter a co-production with Inkblot). Its films will also appear on Prime Video after a theatrical window, in a multi-year agreement.

SOURCE: CNN