•Arese Ugwu
Author and filmmaker Arese Ugwu has opened up on how streaming platform Netflix’s rejection affected her.
Despite the massive success of her TV series “The Smart Money Woman” on the platform, Netflix declined her request for sponsorship to produce more seasons on a larger scale.
The rejection, Ugwu said, left her devastated and almost broke her spirit.
Ugwu’s passion project, “The Smart Money Woman,” began as a book published in 2016, focusing on financial literacy and empowerment.
The book’s popularity led to its adaptation into a TV series, which gained significant traction on Netflix and Africa Magic, even reaching the top 10 for 13 weeks.
However, when Ugwu approached Netflix for further collaboration, she was met with rejection.
Ugwu said: “We were able to produce Season 1 of The Smart Money Woman and got a fantastic reception on Africa Magic and Netflix. We were in the top 10 for 13 weeks on Netflix. Wait till you give me money and I go and do this thing bigger and better and the thing that was my biggest shock was that Netflix was like they did not want it. That rejection almost broke me.”
Ugwu’s desire goes beyond being recognised as an author whose book was adapted into a film.
She aspires to establish herself as a filmmaker, creating impactful stories that resonate with audiences.
“I want to establish myself as a filmmaker. I feel like some people still see me as the girl who wrote a book and the book was turned into a TV series,” she said.
