By BrownGH.com
Copyright browngh
Ghanaian filmmaker Leila Djansi has advised local filmmakers not to depend too heavily on Netflix, saying the platform is not a guaranteed path to a sustainable film career.
On her social media, Djansi explained that Netflix deals can be restrictive and often not profitable enough for smaller markets. “Why are Ghanaians always overly excited about Netflix? In other territories, filmmakers are rejecting Netflix minimum guarantees because they’re too low and rights-restrictive,” she said.
She added that Netflix now prioritizes IP-driven content like comics, novels, sequels, and celebrity documentaries, often favoring South African projects over those from smaller African markets. “Netflix is NOT the golden ticket. And they are focused on South African content these days,” Djansi noted.
Djansi also criticized the lack of transparency in Netflix contracts, pointing out the absence of detailed accounting or revenue breakdowns. “Is Netflix even giving you accounting? No backend. No revenue waterfall. For a filmmaker chasing a career, that’s not how you build longevity,” she said.
Drawing from her experience, Djansi said she has handled Netflix deals since 2014, using time-limited licenses and then selling her films to other platforms to maximize revenue. “Some of my titles have not yet even streamed in Africa. I am still holding out for a good deal,” she revealed.
She concluded that filmmakers should focus on long-term distribution strategies, combining cinema, TV, subscription-based streaming, and ad-supported platforms, rather than chasing a single streaming service.
