Amazon Prime Video has broken into Nollywood, the Nigerian vibrant film industry with the global streaming service striking a multi-year licensing deal with Nigerian production outfit Inkblot Studios.
Under the deal, Prime Video will have exclusive, worldwide distribution rights for the company’s slate of theatrical releases from 2022. The pact is Amazon’s first exclusive theatrical output agreement with a leading African film studio, Variety reports.
Further, Inkblot Studios becomes the first Nigerian studio to strike a major new movie output agreement with the global streamer. The company was founded by Damola Ademola, Zulumoke Oyibo and Chinaza Onuzo.
Under the agreement, Prime Video will launch upcoming Inkblot films following their theatrical release. The slate includes such movies as “The Set Up 2,” “Moms at War 2” and “New Money 3” as well as new titles such as “Charge and Bail,” “Superstar” and “The Blood Covenant.”
Amazon’s entry into Nigeria’s lucrative film market follows similar moves by Netflix, which last year teamed with prolific Nigerian producer Mo Abudu’s EbonyLife for a slate of originals for the platform.
“We know Prime Video customers around the world love movies and this new deal with Inkblot Studios will deliver some of the best Nigerian and African films available for our customers,” said Ayanna Lonian, Prime Video’s director of content acquisition and head of worldwide major studio licensing strategy.
“Nigerian stories are truly some of the most exciting and thrilling in the world. The Inkblot deal will allow us to deliver great Nigerian movies, post their theatrical release in Nigeria, to our global audience, and will continue to build upon Prime Video’s catalog and goal to delight Prime members.”
Chinaza Onuzo, co-founder of Inkblot Studios, added: “At Inkblot Studios, we produce some of the biggest and most creative, original films in the Nigerian film industry. We are very excited about the opportunity to showcase our films to Amazon Prime Video’s over 200 million members. We believe that Nigerian films have a truly global appeal and are thrilled to be working with Amazon Prime Video to deliver the very best in entertainment worldwide.”
