Actress Wunmi Toriola shares her insights on YouTube, cinema market

• Wunmi Toriola, a renowned actress, has expressed her admiration for YouTube’s growing influence on the Nigerian movie industry and its significant influence on cinema culture.

• Toriola, preparing for her debut cinema film, ‘Queen Lateefah,’ asserts that YouTube’s dominance has not overshadowed the cinema experience.

• Toriola emphasized that cinema has a distinct audience, despite seemingly being the same group, which is revealed upon entering the cinema.

Acclaimed actress Wunmi Toriola has expressed her views on the increasing impact of YouTube within the Nigerian film industry and its effects on cinema culture.

As she prepares for her first feature film, ‘Queen Lateefah,’ Toriola acknowledged that while YouTube has emerged as a significant platform for numerous filmmakers, it has not diminished the allure of the cinema experience.

“The cinema has its unique audience,” Toriola noted. “At times, one might assume it’s the same set of people, but there’s a clear distinction. It’s only when you step into the cinema that you realise there’s a dedicated market for it.”

She elaborated on the distinctions between the two mediums, stating, “Producing high-end content for the cinema encourages this market to thrive. On the other hand, the YouTube audience, especially those abroad who can’t access cinemas, rely heavily on the platform. Both markets cater to different needs, but cinema remains the larger of the two. That’s why many of us who have explored YouTube are now aiming for the bigger cinema market.”

Regarding her forthcoming film, Toriola characterized ‘Queen Lateefah’ as more than just a cinematic offering.

“It’s a movement. This project has been in the works for over three to four years. The YouTube version was released four years ago, but I felt the story wasn’t fully told. I’m very intentional about this project, from the choice of director to partnering with Cinemax.”