Rejection by Netflix: A Tough Blow for Nigerian Filmmaker Arese Ugwu
Netflix's Rejection Nearly Shattered Me - Ugwu's account of personal heartbreak
In a recent interview on the Afropolitan podcast, Nigerian author-turned-filmmaker, Arese Ugwu, opened up about a bitter setback she faced when streaming giant, Netflix, turned down her proposal for sponsorship to expand her successful TV show, The Smart Money Woman.
Ugwu's show, which had garnered a fantastic response on Africa Magic and Netflix, where it ranked in the top 10 for 13 weeks, was a testament to her promising start in the film industry. However, the rejection from Netflix for Season 2 sponsorship almost shattered Ugwu's dreams.
The 39-year-old writer revealed, "I had high hopes for Season 2, but Netflix shockingly turned me down. That rejection almost broke me."
Now, Ugwu is determined to break free from being pigeonholed as the author whose book was turned into a TV series. Instead, she aims to carve out a lasting mark in the film industry as a renowned filmmaker.
On the Horizon
This rejection has only fueled Ugwu's determination to establish herself as a versatile filmmaker. As she looks ahead, she may seek other partnerships and funding sources to continue her cinematic journey.
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In the face of rejection from Netflix, Arese Ugwu is resolute on venturing into various partnerships and funding sources, aiming to make a lasting impact in Nigeria's renowned Nollywood and the global movies-and-tv entertainment scene, known as Naija movies. As she aspires to distance herself from being solely identified as the author of The Smart Money Woman, her determination to carve out a versatile filmmaking career has only intensified.
