Actress Juliet Ibrahim reveals why she put her movies on YouTube instead of Netflix and Prime

• Popular Ghanaian actress and film producer Juliet Ibrahim revealed her preference for YouTube over other streaming services like Netflix and Prime.

• This revelation was made during an interview with the Nigeria International Film and TV Summit in Lekki.

• The actress mentioned that YouTube’s simpler requirements make it a more appealing option for her films.

Popular Ghanaian actress and film producer Juliet Ibrahim revealed her preference for YouTube over other streaming services like Netflix and Prime.

During the Nigeria International Film and TV Summit in Lekki, she mentioned that YouTube’s simpler requirements make it a more appealing option for her films.

“Unlike Netflix or Prime, YouTube doesn’t demand specific criteria for equipment, editing, lighting, or crew members,” she said.

While emphasizing the positive aspects of YouTube, the 38-year-old actress known in Nollywood also pointed out the threat of piracy.

“You see, there is something about being a filmmaker, you make your movie and you want to own your rights. There is also piracy, so even YouTube is not 100% safe because people still pirate, they would steal your content,” she said.

“However, there is a whole market on YouTube where people make quick and easy money with less stress. Without having to go buy the cinema criteria or streaming platform criteria. Before you submit to a streaming platform either Netflix or Prime, you have a list of equipment you must use.

“There is a criteria for editing, lighting, your crew members, a whole lot of things and that includes a lot of money. That is where I said the funding would now become a problem.”

The filmmaker and content creator stressed the significance of engaging diaspora audiences who do not have access to cinema content.

“As a filmmaker, you want to have multiple streams of income, and there are people in diaspora who want to watch our content but cannot access our cinema content. Until we can give them good cinema content over there, we can put it on Netflix or YouTube,” she said.

“If Netflix says the content is not good enough for them, we can put it on Showmax or YouTube uploads. A lot of people have different reasons but most times you have to look at it strategically and also what goes into your pocket.”

Ibrahim is not the only one who sees the perks of putting movies on YouTube. Many actors and filmmakers have also pointed out the benefits of the platform.

Ruth Kadiri, another actress, shared similar thoughts in June, mentioning that there are “too many” rules about film production in Nigeria.

The mother of two explained that she began sharing her films on YouTube to find a place to express herself and share her stories.

Blessing Egbe, the filmmaker, highlighted the reasons YouTube is becoming a go-to channel for Nigerian filmmakers.

Kanayo O. Kanayo, a well-known actor, mentioned that filmmakers place their films on YouTube to gain more control and earn income directly.