The on-demand film streaming giant Netflix has a strict policy on movie submissions and how they select movies and scripts submitted to them.
With the addition of Zimbabwean billionaire Masiyiwa to the Netflix board of directors, we believe African movies are about to get an extra push.
In this post, we look at how you can submit your movie to Netflix in Africa and the processes you need to go through to get your movie on Netflix.
Before heading into how to submit your movie or show to Netflix, you first need to understand the streaming giant does not only pay huge dollars for great titles or how beautiful your idea, movie or show is. Netflix has created a complete African content library on the platform titled “Made In Africa”, the world’s number one streaming giant is keen on curating influential African movies and shows that will be beneficial to both already existing subscribers and the rest of the world that is currently not subscribed.
“Beast of No Nation” is one of many “Made In Africa” Netflix Originals which got many Ghanaians and Nigerians to sign up to the platform. Till date, most Ghanaians and Nigerians hold this movie at heart because it features relatable scenes.
Is your idea, movie or show that great? Well, let’s get into how to submit to Netflix.
How to submit your movie to Netflix
According to Netflix’s policy, if you have a story or idea for a show or movie you want to get on the platform but not sure about how to do it or you are probably considering shooting them an email or walking into any of their offices to talk to someone, well they say you need to reconsider that option because that falls under what they consider an “unsolicited submission”, rather if you want to get a better chance at submitting your movie, show or just an idea to Netflix, check below to see your options.
You can only submit to Netflix through;
- Licensed literary agent
- Producer
- Attorney
- Manager
- Entertainment executive (who has a preexisting relationship with Netflix)
Which Netflix African movie distributor do you recommend?
A recommended movie distribution company you can work with to distribute your movies to Netflix is the Nigerian company FilmOne.
How does Netflix select movies for their platform?
Netflix uses several methods to discover new movie, shows or ideas to create or buy, some of these methods are;
- Netflix pays a team of professionals and buyers, who receive pitches for shows and movies.
- Netflix depends heavily on its relationships with the creative community and talent agencies, who propose ideas for shows and movies.
- Netflix may buy films and other content at film festivals or other established venues, they mostly buy finished works.
- Netflix also generates ideas internally and hire writers or other creatives to develop those ideas further.
