Basketmouth calls out film producers for diverting Netflix funds

Nigerian comedian and filmmaker Bright Okpocha, famously known as Basketmouth, has sparked heated conversations with allegations of financial mismanagement and diversion of funds by Nollywood producers.

Speaking in a recent interview on Arise TV, he accused Nigerian movie producers of squandering significant portions of funds allocated by global streaming giant Netflix, leaving a meagre 10% for actual film production.

Lavish lifestyles over quality films

Basketmouth revealed that producers, upon receiving hefty budgets—sometimes as high as $1.5 million—divert most of the funds for personal luxury. “They take the money, use about 10% to make the movie, and spend the rest on buying cars and houses,” he claimed.

READ ALSO: Netflix to celebrate Nollywood stars at second ‘Lights, Camera… Naija!’

According to him, this misuse of funds has resulted in poorly executed films that fail to meet global standards. “Our so-called epic movies end up looking more like stage plays because the funds are not going into the production quality,” he lamented.

Streaming platforms clamp down

In response to these alleged practices, Basketmouth stated that streaming platforms like Netflix had to implement direct payment structures for actors to curb fraud. However, he disclosed that some producers still found ways to manipulate the system.

“These guys would go behind and demand that actors return half of their pay. It’s a blatant exploitation of both the system and the actors,” he added, insisting his claims are verifiable.

The ripple effect on nollywood

The fallout from these financial irregularities, according to Basketmouth, is a Nollywood that struggles to achieve consistency in delivering top-tier productions. Despite the influx of streaming platform investments, the industry often produces content that falls short of its potential, tarnishing its reputation globally.

The way forward

Basketmouth’s allegations bring to light critical issues that must be addressed if Nollywood is to thrive as a global entertainment hub. Transparent allocation of funds, strict regulation of budgets, and accountability mechanisms are essential to ensure that investments translate to high-quality productions.

For Nollywood to shine on the global stage, it must prioritise creativity and craftsmanship over fleeting luxury.