IRoko TV Owner Jason Njoku Cheating Nollywood, Nigerian Film Producers With Netflix – Leila Djansi

American Ghanaian actress Leila Afua Djansi has warned African movie producers to stop using the service of middlemen when promoting their movies online.

She recently called out Jason Njoku, the founder of Iroko TV for making money off producers sweat.
Hear what she said in this long piece first published on her site:

I think it’s amazing, the exposure this gives Nollywood. But, exposure can go both ways. If you look good naked, you can walk around a nude beach. If you have my kinda body, small small everywhere, cover up. Nollywood has been grinding for years! Years! It needs victories. Sadly though, so sorry to burst your bubble guys. Nollywood films on Netflix are a victory for one person only. iROKO TV. They got the films there. Yes, your films are on netflix, but is it showing up in your pocket? To be content that your film is on netlfix is so superficial. You need to benefit from your film being there – Financially.

Assuming the filmmakers are given some small change, by irokoTV for their films getting on Netflix, this would have been a major break. But they are not. The way the iroko deal works, they pay you an ok flat fee for a number of years. 5-15,000 dollars; no royalties. Therefore, if for the next 5 years they earn 100k on your film, they get to keep all that. All other African distributors use this model. Sadly, if you make a film on 500k, you still get paid same amount the person who made it for 20k gets paid. It’s a jungle out there. I have a film on Netflix.

I was paid a hefty sum for the license by the distributor upfront, plus a distribution deal, plus 50pct share of profits. No, not a nollywood distributor. An American one. If they release my film on any platform, or do a sub license to another platform, I’m happy, because, money will come. My rent is due. On the other hand, it would have been a victory for the filmmaker if the films were good enough to show the world. I’ve seen the selection and 90% of the films there are crap.

You get one chance to prove to the world that the African can handle his own affairs and this is what you show? I watched a film on iROKO TV called ‘Apaye’. Oh, I loved it! I loved it! It wasn’t part of the netflix selection. ‘Tango with me’ another very good one, was not there either. Whether you are an actor. A distributor or a producer, you are an ambassador of your enterprise to others.

If you have an opportunity to put Africa on a pedestal, use it wisely. Filmmakers. Now that you know iROKO will put your films on netflix, and you know you won’t see any money from the profits, at least, put up a good product, so someone else will see your work and give you a bigger opportunity. You can circumvent the system and self distribute your films.

That’s what I did for my African titles. I chop it up. No one has an exclusive deal. If you want to try this, do it. You can also use an aggregator called Distribber. I’ve never used them, so I cannot advise:https://www.distribber.com/ Now is is the time to start involving lawyers when you sell your films. A lawyer will ensure you get the best deal possible. Giving up your film for 10,000 dollars and having it locked up for 5 years is no life.

Out of desperation, filmmakers in Nollywood and Ghana are making sad deals. The industry is dying off. But if you involve the legal system, it stands a chance. yeah yeah yeah, lawyers are greedy etc. But there are good ones out there. Distributors in Ghana could come together and pay for a guild attorney who will handle their distribution deals, so can their counterparts in Nigeria.

That way, you get the best for your work. The distributors won’t be happy you got a lawyer, but, they have no content without your films. Take a stand….
http://nigeriacamera.net/iroko-tv-owner-jason-njoku-cheating-nollywood-nigerian-film-producers-with-netflix-leila-djansi/

Jason Njoku is just being a staunch businessman, I don't get how he's cheating them. They the producers are the ones to come up with terms of agreement on the distribution of their movies to the likes of Iroko tv.

Which satelite shows this iroko tv

What else do you expect from a smart igbo nigga

Of course, why do you think he is far richer than all of them?

Ok

Ok

Ok

Then they should negotiate better.

This is business.

Shes making a good point though, all these online things make me wonder how actors are being paid. Esp the ones that would by an 800k car and say its 20million

Cheat

Put things on paper,black and white

.

ok

Who's Leila Djansi?
Anoda aproko dats pained cos a broda is making some money from his creativity. People can be so envious!

Why didn't she set up the same model all dis while and make her own money. By the way, did producers complain to her? Nawaoo...some people sef.


U can hate the Igbo man. but u can't take away the ingenuity from his spirit!!
Nwanna Jason, ride on...chop ur money!

he put Gun for ya head? Hungry Mofo

wet in concern me?

na him hustle da pay oooooo ;Dna him hustle da pay oooooo

www.nairaland.com/attachments/2942500_leiladjansiandjasonnjoku_jpeg9f7e366d39e6f0cd4b9e868864a3a2db

Awesome Ojukwu T-shirt

Depends on their definition of "cheating."

If a deal is presented to you and you go through the terms, THEN willingly sign the deal. Well, that's not "cheating," but simply selling yourself short, at worst.

If the deal does not favor you, simply stay away from it. It's not that hard.

Jason enters into agreements with the producers on how much he offers them; so how is he cheating them? Last time sound city said they will stop playing P-Square songs because they refused to play for them free at their event.
This guy has promoted Nollywood beyond Africa and we should give him some credit and not call him a cheat.

He also proudly represents BIAFRA on his T-Shirt, Yolobas should let him be

non of my business!..hw e take raise up 9ja naira to be d same with d0llar?

Hmmm..

I'm hearing a different thing now. Last year,a friend asked me to partner in a low budget movie that would be put on iroko tv and dstv and some other int'l media platform. At first,I wasn't too keen on it but after so much pressure,I obliged Him. I actually thought of investing a larger sum in the project so I can earn big,but decided to test run with a very meagre sum. Fast forward till today,He keeps telling me Iroko tv hasn't paid despite the movie being on their platform. I thought these guys were making good dough from their iroko tv partnership...

Ok

Ok.

Abeg make una help me calculate N600 X 1.200.000 subscribers world wide every month.

For real. Hrs just being a smart businessman.

Play the game or the game plays you.









Meanwhile shout out to all those spacebookers above. Lalastic is watching you all with a broken mirror.






Meanwhile today isn't my birthday you know what to do.

Ok

hu still get time to watch nollywood.
I watch film not advert