BY Nadia Ntiamoah
Ghanaian-American filmmaker Leila Djansi has sounded the alarm about the potential collapse of YouTube due to congestion and oversaturation.
In a recent interview on Hitz FM’s Daybreak, Djansi cautioned filmmakers against relying solely on YouTube as a distribution platform, citing the platform’s frequent policy changes and piracy concerns.
The Perils of Over-Reliance on YouTube
Djansi argued that the oversaturation of YouTube would inevitably lead to reduced earnings for content creators.
“If you oversaturate it, they’re going to reduce the earning. So how much are you really going to earn on YouTube if you just say I’m just going to put the film on YouTube?” she questioned.
Furthermore, she emphasized that piracy undermines the platform’s viability for film distribution, as individuals can easily download films without compensating the creators.
A Government Film Fund
Djansi also expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of a government-backed film fund, arguing that it would be premature without a proper distribution framework.
“Personally, I don’t believe in the film fund. I think it is premature because there is no distribution. If you give the film fund, how are they going to make profit?” she stated.
According to Djansi, investing in a film fund without addressing distribution gaps would only drain government resources.
Diversifying Distribution Channels
To mitigate these risks, Djansi urged filmmakers to explore alternative distribution channels, such as cinema screenings, professional streaming platforms, and physical media.
She emphasized the importance of creating proper cinema experiences rather than relying solely on digital platforms vulnerable to piracy.
Empowering The Film Industry through Collaboration
In response to the industry’s needs, Djansi is organizing the Film Crew Networking Fixer, scheduled for September 24, 2025, at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park.
This event aims to provide a platform for professionals across the film value chain to connect, collaborate, and strengthen the film industry.
