A new Pan-African film streaming platform, Cinetie, is set to revolutionise the film industry across Africa and support global independent filmmakers.
Scheduled to launch in early September, Cinetie is committed to enhancing the visibility of African cinema and bridging the gap between African filmmakers and global audiences.
Focused on quality and cultural representation, Cinetie will offer a diverse range of films that showcase the richness of African storytelling.
ALSO READ: The role of online streaming platforms in boosting Rwanda’s music industry
Theodore Ishimwe, the co-founder and CEO of Cinetie, emphasized the platform’s mission to promote and support African filmmakers, ensuring their work reaches a broader audience.
"This platform is set to shape the future of African cinema, providing a space where the richness of African stories can be shared with the world. Our vision is to make Cinetie the leading platform for premium African content, bringing the best of African and global cinema to a worldwide audience,” Ishimwe said.
Ishimwe also noted Cinetie's role in uniting filmmakers from various countries and expressed confidence that the platform will soon become a major player in film distribution and streaming across the continent.
ALSO READ: Rwandan firm starts Africa's first video streaming platform
The platform is viewed as a direct competitor to big names in the streaming ecosystem like Netflix, which Ishimwe criticised for not supporting African filmmakers enough. He pointed out that although Nigeria produces about 2,000 films each year, Netflix features fewer than 100 of them.
"We are here to serve those independent producers who cannot find their way into Netflix. To make sure that every filmmaker has a voice, every filmmaker has an opportunity to bring their film to the front line, to a platform where people can come and view it,” he added.
He noted their commitment to giving these filmmakers hope, but said that in doing so, they must consider certain standards and maintain a high level of quality.
With a subscription model priced between US $3 and US $10 , the platform will offer users access to a library of over 500 films.
"That’s very affordable. Moreover, the platform’s mission is not only to provide access but also to ensure that African stories are told with the depth and authenticity they deserve,” he said.
Cinetie will be accessible on desktops, smartphones (via Android and iOS apps), and TV apps, ensuring broad reach and availability.