Renowned actress Wunmi Toriola has expressed her views regarding the increasing impact of YouTube on the Nigerian film industry and its effects on cinema culture.
Toriola, who is preparing for her first feature film, ‘Queen Lateefah,’ remarked that although 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 platforms, 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.”
In discussing her forthcoming film, Toriola characterized ‘Queen Lateefah’ as more than merely a cinematic production.
“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.”