With the Right Positioning, Nigerians Will Watch Any Film – Filmone Chief Content Officer Ladun Awobokun

• FilmOne Chief Content Officer, Ladun Awobokun, asserts that effective positioning is crucial for a film’s success in Nigeria.
• Awobokun emphasizes the abundance of untold stories in Nigerian filmmaking, which are ripe for development and audience engagement.
• She highlights that a well-positioned film will attract Nigerian audiences, regardless of genre, provided it meets quality standards and production values.
• The selection process for FilmOne’s distribution involves a stringent in-house checklist, considering factors such as quality, timing, and the potential for various platforms.

Ladun Awobokun, Chief Content Officer at FilmOne Entertainment, has provided insightful perspectives on the dynamics of film consumption in Nigeria.

According to Awobokun, the success of a film largely hinges on its positioning. Her extensive experience in the industry has led her to the conclusion that Nigerians are eager to consume content that is strategically presented.

FilmOne Entertainment, known for its commitment to distributing and producing a diverse range of films—from local productions to international features—relies heavily on effective positioning to ensure audience engagement. Awobokun’s recent interview with Pulse sheds light on this strategy.

She stresses that many compelling stories remain untold in the Nigerian film industry, indicating a vast reservoir of narratives waiting to be explored.

“There are so many existing stories that haven’t even come on screen. For a long time, we’ve always thought that we have to create stories but there are lots of stories already that need to be told,” Awobokun noted.

Awobokun also highlights that regardless of genre—be it biopic, romance, or epic—a film’s success depends significantly on its presentation.

She asserts that if a film is marketed and positioned as a must-watch, the Nigerian audience will respond positively. “If you position any film as a film to watch that should be watched, the Nigerian audience will watch it,” she stated.

Moreover, Awobokun elaborates on FilmOne’s meticulous selection process for film distribution. The company employs an in-house standard and checklist to evaluate potential films for both streaming platforms and cinemas.

“We consider seasons as well and quality of production, and timing too is a factor,” she explained. Films that do not perform well in cinemas are often pitched to other platforms to ensure they reach their intended audience and achieve financial viability.