Filmmakers Mart Secures IFC and Sony Investment to Digitalize Production Logistics
B2B marketplace Filmmakers Mart has secured investment from IFC and Sony Innovation Fund Africa to scale its logistics booking platform, optimizing equipment hire and location scouting for creative teams.
Lagos, Nigeria — Creative tech startup Filmmakers Mart has secured an investment from IFC (the World Bank's International Finance Corporation) and Sony Innovation Fund Africa in August 2025. The fresh capital will fund the development of its B2B logistics marketplace, helping film production teams book equipment, cast members, and locations. The investment marks IFC's first-ever backing of Africa's audiovisual sector.
Filmmakers Mart operates a B2B marketplace connecting production crews with verified suppliers of cameras, lighting, transport, and permit agents. The company monetizes by taking a transaction commission on booking volumes. Headquartered in Lagos, the platform serves local Nollywood creators and international documentary crews.
The funding will support the launch of its escrow payment system and insurance coverage options for hired gear. By providing equipment insurance, the platform mitigates the risk of damage during shoots, encouraging large suppliers to list premium gear. The team plans to expand location scouting databases.
Nigeria's Nollywood is the second-largest film industry globally by volume, yet it remains heavily fragmented with manual, trust-based booking structures. By digitizing supplier agreements, location booking, and payments, Filmmakers Mart brings structure to production budgets. This increases operational efficiency, allowing crews to scale production speeds.
Filmmakers Mart is capturing Nollywood's transition from informal production processes to structured, corporate budgets. By acting as the central marketplace for high-value equipment rental and location escrow, they are positioning themselves as the operating system for film logistics. Investors should notice that Nollywood's rapid growth creates high demand for structured supplier platforms. The key execution challenge will be scaling their insurance underwriting partnerships to cover complex set liabilities.
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