Award-winning Nigerian filmmaker and director Biodun Stephen, has shared her thoughts on why an increasing number of actors are making the transition into film production, pointing to the financial opportunities once provided by YouTube and the commercial advantage of having a loyal fan base.
The 44-year-old filmmaker, said in a recent interview, as she explained that YouTube created a lucrative platform that encouraged many actors to begin producing their own films.
According to her, the platform offered impressive financial returns in its early years, making film production an attractive venture for many creatives.
However, she noted that the situation has changed over time.
She said:“If you talk about actors going into film production in the past few years, it’s caused by the YouTube invasion and there was quite a chunk of money in YouTube. It was like a big money ritual, but it isn’t the same anymore.”
Despite acknowledging the financial appeal, the filmmaker stressed that profit should never be the main reason for making films.
Stephen said her passion has always been centred on telling meaningful stories that resonate with audiences.
She continued:“For me, it’s about why you are doing it. It’s a massive space and the environment is massive for everybody to fly without touching each other.”
Reflecting on her own career, Stephen revealed that her understanding of storytelling changed in 2011 when she realised the powerful influence films could have on people’s lives.
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She said this discovery inspired her to focus on creating stories that make a positive difference.
She said:“I tell stories because I think I can change lives, which is very important to me. I came to that realisation in 2011 when I understood that story was powerful, and the onus is on me to change a life one story at a time.”
Stephen further noted that, beyond YouTube earnings, many actors now recognise the commercial value of transforming their popularity into successful film projects.
She added: “If I’m to answer why there is an influx of producers, I will say YouTube money is good. People now understand the power of conversion, by that I mean having a huge fan base.”
