Nollywood actress and filmmaker Bolaji Ogunmola has opened up about the financial uncertainty involved in producing movies specifically for YouTube.
Ogunmola described YouTube filmmaking as a risky venture, explaining that producers can invest heavily in a movie without knowing how the project will perform once it is released.
“When I make a YouTube film, I spend more. YouTube films feels like you’re gambling because there’s no outcome that’s concrete,” she said during an interview with Jay On-Air.
According to the filmmaker, one of the biggest challenges is the unpredictability of the platform’s algorithm and audience distribution.
She explained that after spending significantly on a production, a filmmaker may upload the movie without knowing whether it will reach the intended audience or whether the algorithm will effectively promote it.
“You can upload a movie, and you don’t know if it’s Bangladesh people that are online after dropping a film, or algorithm will not be doing its work,” she said.
Ogunmola’s comments reflect concerns she has previously raised about the economics of YouTube filmmaking. In the same interview, she argued that YouTube was not originally designed for movies and stressed that film production requires substantial investment.
She has also highlighted the rising cost of hiring actors, noting that some performers can charge millions of naira for only a few days on set, while production also requires spending on locations, crews and post-production.
Despite those challenges, Ogunmola has become an active player in Nigeria’s growing YouTube film space. Her channel has released numerous productions, reflecting the increasing importance of YouTube as an outlet for Nollywood filmmakers seeking to reach audiences directly.
er latest remarks highlight the gamble filmmakers face: significant production costs are incurred before the audience response, reach and eventual returns can be known.
