Kunle Afolayan Secures Partnership Deal with Netflix to Produce Three New Original Feature Films
Nigeria’s leading director and film producer, Kunle Afolayan has secured a partnership deal with Netflix to produce and premiere three new diverse films – a historical drama, a folklore fantasy and a character drama. The three films will be set in Nigeria. According to Netflix, “the stories are diverse in genre, riveting in the storyline, and more importantly, uniquely Naija!”
Within five years of launching in Nigeria, Netflix has been able to add a wide variety of Nollywood films and series, building strong relationships with local creators like Kunle Afolayan.
A selection of Kunle Afolayan’s classics like The CEO, October 1, The Figurine and most recently, Citation are available on Netflix to members around the world. Through his films, Kunle Afolayan proudly projects Nigerian culture, history, fashion, music, food, and languages.
The first film will be an adaptation of Nigerian-American novelist and screenwriter, Seffi Atta’s third novel, “Swallow”. According to Netflix, the novel tells the story of a naive secretary, who after several career failures, considers her roommate’s offer to work as a drug mule in mid-1980s Lagos. The screenplay is co-written by Kunle Afolayan and Seffi Atta, earning her “first screenwriting credit”.
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Kunle Afolayan confirmed in a recent interview with Ben Amadasun, Netflix’s Director of Content for Africa that he has concluded principal photography for the film.
The film will feature non-actors and popular Nollywood stars like Eniola Akinbo (Niyola), Deyemi Okanlawon, Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha, Omotunde Adebowale (Lolo), Ijeoma Grace Agu, Kunle Idowu (Frank Donga), Eniola Badmus, Mercy Aigbe, Kelvin Ikeduba, Joke Muyiwa, Thin Tall Tony, Olusegun Akinremi and more from the Nollywood industry.
Kunle Afolayan is a well-recognized and talented filmmaker in the Nigerian film industry, always dazzling with his enthralling storylines and production. In 2006, he directed the first Nigerian film ever to be screened at the 2007 Pan-African Film Festival, Irapada (Redemption). His films have been screened at FESPACO, International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), the London Film Festival, New York Africa Film Festival, amongst others. His latest film, Citation released on the 6th of November 2020 rose to the 6th most popular film on Netflix shortly after its release and was most watched on Netflix in Nigeria.
Congratulations to Kunle Afolayan on his new feat. We are rooting for him.