More intrigues seem to be playing out in the Nigerian movie industry with the incursion of Netflix and other streaming platforms.
Some 15 years ago, home video marketers called the shot in Nollywood, with producers and actors largely being at their mercy.
Then returned the cinemas, as particularly deepened by Film One outfits.
But the story is getting more interesting with Internet and other related forms of streaming.
The cinemas who had been having a great deal have also started worrying.
Headache is beginning to be their loyt too – as Netflix and others are now the number one bride of many a producer.
No wonder, the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN) on Wednesday expressed worry over some movies going directly into movie streaming platforms, instead of cinemas where movies could be watched by a wider public.
CEAN’s Chairman, Mr Patrick Lee, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the cinema experience is different from watching a movie on one’s mobile phone or computer.
Lee said the association was already discussing with the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) and Netflix, a movie streaming platform, to come to some sort of agreement with such investment.
“We are speaking with the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) and Netflix to see that those movies be allowed to have some streaming time at the cinema.
“We welcome such kind of investments because they will help the industry grow,” he told NAN.
He also assured film enthusiasts across the country of their safety against COVID-19 in all cinemas.
Lee said that considering the upsurge in the new variant of the pandemic, cinemas across the federation were also on alert to ensure that visitors strictly comply to COVID-19 safety protocols.
“We are taking the new variant of COVID-19 pandemic seriously, we are aware of the upsurge and we keep reminding our members daily on the need to adhere to the safety protocols.
“We are still keeping to the safety protocols of hand washing, social distancing, hand sanitising, temperature checks and the hall capacity agreed for each state.
“For Lagos State, we agreed 50 per cent hall capacity and we are keeping to the rule.
“”We are also sending reminders to the 54 cinemas in the country, who are also sending to their staff to ensure the COVID-19 safety protocols are kept.
“We are taking it seriously and happy that no case of COVID-19 pandemic had been linked to any cinema yet and we pray and hope that will continue,” he said.
