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Tag: Funke Akindele

  • Funke Akindele appeals to UK fans to protect ‘Behind The Scenes’ from piracy

    Funke Akindele appeals to UK fans to protect ‘Behind The Scenes’ from piracy

    Actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has appealed to her fans in the United Kingdom to refrain from sharing clips of her new film, “Behind the Scenes”, online.

    The movie, which premiered on December 4, at Odeon Cinemas in Greenwich, UK generated significant buzz.

    Following the success, Akindele has expressed worry that unauthorised sharing of clips could jeopardise ticket sales ahead of the Nigerian release on December 12.

    In a video message, Akindele urged fans to respect the filmmakers’ efforts and avoid piracy, saying, “UK fans that have watched Behind the scenes, please stop posting online, you’re not helping or promoting.

    “Please don’t record, we spent over a billion on that project, don’t let me run into debt, please stop posting the recordings, it is piracy”.

    Fans have rallied behind the actress, echoing her call to avoid piracy and wait for the official release.

  • Funke Akindele unveils trailer for ‘Behind The Scenes’ film

    Funke Akindele unveils trailer for ‘Behind The Scenes’ film

    Award-winning actress Funke Akindele has unveiled the official trailer for her latest film, ‘Behind The Scenes’, a drama that explores themes of pain, resilience, and healing.

    The movie, which hits cinemas on December 12, promises to resonate with audiences through its powerful narrative.

    Akindele describes the film as a story of “truth, pressure, healing, and everything we don’t say out loud”.

    A special London Premiere is scheduled for December 4th at Odeon Greenwich, offering fans an exclusive opportunity to experience the film ahead of its nationwide release.

    Akindele wrote: “Some stories don’t just entertain… they reveal the parts of us we hide.

    “BEHIND THE SCENES is for anyone who has ever smiled through pain, carried invisible battles, or kept showing up even when it was hard. It’s a story about truth, pressure, healing, and everything we don’t say out loud.

    “The official trailer is here. In all cinemas nationwide from Dec 12th. Get your tickets to the London Premiere of Behind the Scenes happening on December 4th, 8 PM at Odeon Greenwich.”

  • Funke Akindele tags Iyabo Ojo ‘one of Nollywood’s best’

    Funke Akindele tags Iyabo Ojo ‘one of Nollywood’s best’

    Actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has expressed admiration for colleague Iyabo Ojo, declaring her Woman Crush Wednesday and describing her as one of the best in Nollywood.

    In a post on Instagram, Funke praised Iyabo’s beauty, style, and elegance, while also commending her exceptional performance in the upcoming movie “Behind The Scenes”.

    According to Funke, Iyabo’s talent, confidence, and passion for acting shine through in every role she takes on, solidifying her position as a top actress in the industry.

    Read Also: FilmOne secures distribution right to Funke Akindele’s ‘Behind the Scenes’

    She wrote: “WomanCrushWednesday. My WCW is the beautiful, stylish and elegant Iyabo Ojo! Her performance in Behind the Scenes was absolutely phenomenal. Iyabo continues to prove why she’s one of the best in Nollywood. Her talent, confidence, and passion always shine through every role she plays”.

    The post features clips of Iyabo on set, showcasing her impressive work and dedication to her craft.

  • FilmOne secures distribution right to Funke Akindele’s ‘Behind the Scenes’

    FilmOne secures distribution right to Funke Akindele’s ‘Behind the Scenes’

    Nigeria’s film distribution company, FilmOne Entertainment, has secured an exclusive global distribution right to Nollywood filmmaker Funke Akindele’s next feature, “Behind the Scenes.”

    The deal, which followed the record-breaking N3.3 billion combined success of Akindele’s box office slates, further cements FilmOne’s status as a driving force behind some of the country’s highest-grossing films.

    FilmOne Entertainment, known for consistently delivering record-breaking titles, continues to shape the commercial landscape of Nollywood by backing visionary filmmakers and delivering premium cinema experiences to audiences nationwide.

    With Behind the Scene, Akindele once again partners with FilmOne to bring an inspiring story to life; one that promises to blend laughter, heart, and relatable storytelling in the tradition of her previous box office successes.

    The film is scheduled for nationwide release on December 12 and is already one of the most anticipated titles of the upcoming cinema calendar, as observed at the 2025 FilmOne Entertainment’s Exhibitors’ Showcase.

    READ ALSO: NLC issues four-week ultimatum to FG over ASUU crisis

    FilmOne Entertainment raised the bar at the 2025 Exhibitors’ Showcase, turning its presentation into a full-scale cinematic experience that drew applause from exhibitors, filmmakers, and industry partners.

    The event celebrated FilmOne’s dual strength in championing Nollywood while driving global studio partnerships, underscoring its role as West Africa’s leading content powerhouse.

    The Nollywood slate for 2025 was met with resounding excitement as FilmOne unveiled a diverse lineup of highly anticipated titles including The Herd, 3 Cold Dishes, Behind the Scene, Colors of Fire, Oversabi Aunty, War Lord, and more.

    These upcoming releases showcase the studio’s expanding creative footprint across genres; from intense drama and romance to comedy and action – reinforcing its commitment to scaling Nigerian storytelling for global audiences.

    The momentum continued with FilmOne’s Hollywood slate, featuring blockbuster titles such as Now You See Me, Avatar, Zootopia, Sisu, Anaconda and more.

    Through its exclusive partnerships with major Hollywood studios including Disney, Sony, and Warner Bros., FilmOne continues to deliver world-class cinematic experiences to African audiences.

    More than a showcase, the event reflected FilmOne’s evolution into a global player as a company that curates culture, drives creative collaboration, and defines the future of African cinema through bold storytelling and strategic partnerships.

    This came as FilmOne and acclaimed filmmaker and actress Toyin Abraham reunite for blockbuster December slate following Iyalode’s over N300 million success.

    Following the success of Iyalode, FilmOne has once again partnered with Abraham to distribute her highly anticipated December film lineup.

    The new collaboration reinforces the long-standing relationship between FilmOne and one of Nollywood’s most bankable stars, whose previous releases; including Alakada, and Iyalode delivered strong box office performances and solidified her reputation as a holiday season favorite.

    By securing exclusive distribution rights to Abraham’s upcoming December titles, FilmOne Entertainment continues to strengthen its leadership position in African film distribution, championing female-led narratives and driving Nigeria’s biggest cinema moments year after year.

  • How I made, spent my first N1 million in 1999 – Funke Akindele

    How I made, spent my first N1 million in 1999 – Funke Akindele

    Actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has opened up on how she earned her first N1 million in 1999 through the breakout role as Bisi in the popular TV series ‘I Need to Know’.

    In a video, the Nollywood star recounted her early struggles, the challenges of securing the role and how she spent the life-changing sum.

    Akindele said her journey began in 1996, taking on minor “waka pass” roles while enduring repeated rejections at auditions.

    “I made that around 1999. I started my career from like 1996, playing waka pass roles, 1997 going for auditions, getting a lot of nos,” she recalled.

    Her persistence paid off when she landed the role in I Need to Know, which marked a turning point.

    “Then I got one big yes with ‘I need to know’ and that is how I got my first N1 million,” she said.

    She recounted that during the pilot shoot, she was told she was overacting and risked losing the role. 

    “I almost lost the role ‘Bisi’ in ‘I need to know’. I shot the pilot of I need to know first and I acted so well and I was waiting for this call back. The call back didn’t come on time. I’m like ah okay.

    “Then he just called me into the office. I’m like okay you’re a fantastic actress you’re doing so well but you’re over acting.They told me to go home and read my script, understand the character very well,” she said.

    She added: “I was so worried. I said how am I going to do it now? Then I got home and I was so moody and my younger sister was like sister what’s wrong?

    Read Also: Nigeria secures $8b in energy investments

    “I said ‘I need to know’. They said I’m not talking like a teenager.

    “She said ah because I was not a teenager when I was filming ‘I need to know’. She said ah let me see the script and she held the script. She started reading.

    “So I heard mama speak like a teenager and immediately you know I took in the character and I started speaking like mama and that and that was how I got the role.

    “So that was how I made my first one million naira. We were paid for an episode but I will not tell you how much but all together ah I was shocked. I was like me that always jump for bike”. 

    Speaking of how she spent the money, Akindele stated that she first showed it to her mother, who advised her to pay her tithe.

    Following this, she headed to Yaba market to revamp her wardrobe. 

    She added: “What did I do with one million naira? First I showed it to my mom. Of course she knows about it and then mommy advised and said I have to pay my tithe first.

    “I paid my tithe then I entered Yaba because I didn’t have shoes. I didn’t have maybe two or three I had there. I didn’t have good clothes.

    “I changed my wardrobe, shoes, bags, everything. The girl that had no shoes yesterday has today”. 

  • How God inspired new film ‘Behind the scenes’ – Funke Akindele

    How God inspired new film ‘Behind the scenes’ – Funke Akindele

    Award-winning filmmaker and actress Funke Akindele has revealed that her upcoming December film, “Behind The Scenes,” was inspired by a divine instruction. 

    During FilmOne end-of-year exhibitor showcase, Akindele revealed that she had initially planned to work on a sequel to her record-breaking film “A Tribe Called Judah” but kept receiving divine instructions to set it aside.

    Despite attempting four other scripts and exploring potential collaborations, Akindele said she felt guided to create “Behind The Scenes,” which she describes as deeply relatable and reflective of real-life experiences.

    She said: “We weren’t supposed to release ‘Behind The Scenes’. I actually wanted to release ‘A Tribe Called Judah 2’. We’d even started rehearsals, negotiations, you know, training. But the Spirit of God kept telling me, ‘No, you will not shoot that film’.

    “We tried, we tried almost four other scripts, lovely scripts, and the Spirit of God said, ‘You are joking’. We even wanted to partner with someone, a fantastic actor and filmmaker, but the Spirit of God said, ‘You’re wasting your time. You will shoot this film.’

    “And the idea just came from one scene, and I said, ‘This is relatable’. A lot of people are going through what is happening in this film, what is going to happen, what you’re going to see in this movie.”

    Read Also: Funke Akindele is my number one mentor, says BBNaija winner Imisi

    The film, produced under the Funke Akindele Network, is set to hit cinemas nationwide on December 12, 2025.

    “Behind The Scenes” promises to explore the struggles and realities often hidden from the spotlight, offering a story that resonates beyond surface glamour.

    The movie boasts a talented ensemble cast, including Tobi Bakre, Veeiye, Uzor Arukwe, Uche Montana, Ini Dima-Okojie and Ibrahim Chatta amongst others.

    Akindele’s decision to pursue “Behind The Scenes” follows her tradition of releasing films in December, which has proven successful with blockbusters like “A Tribe Called Judah” and “Everybody Loves Jenifa.”

    These films not only shattered box office records but also solidified her position as Nollywood’s top-grossing director.

  • Funke Akindele is my number one mentor, says BBNaija winner Imisi

    Funke Akindele is my number one mentor, says BBNaija winner Imisi

    Big Brother Naija Season 10 winner, Imisi, has revealed her admiration for Nollywood star Funke Akindele, describing the filmmaker as her “number one mentor.”

    Speaking to journalists during her prize presentation in Lagos, the reality star expressed her desire to work with Akindele in the near future.

    READ ALSO; Why I stepped aside, by Nnaji

    “Yes, Funke Akindele is my number one mentor. I hope to work with her someday,” Imisi said.

    The reality TV winner, who recently clinched the N150 million grand prize, noted that Akindele’s creativity, resilience, and consistent success in the Nigerian movie industry have been a source of inspiration to her.

  • Funke Akindele fires back at troll over nylon bag comment

    Funke Akindele fires back at troll over nylon bag comment

    Filmmaker Funke Akindele has responded to a social media troll who mocked her for packing food in the popular “yellow and black” nylon bag.

    The critic took to Snapchat to shade the movie star, writing: “Aunty Funke you are not posh at all. Why yellow and black nylon?”

    Akindele clapped back with sarcasm, saying:

    “Oh maybe I need to go and get plastic bags from Macy’s or Nordstrom. Elenu shipoti, you can come and buy nylon for me. I already blocked you. It’s a privilege for you to be seeing my snap. At least you can see I am an elderly person even if I am not old enough to be your mum. Wide mouth.”

    Read Also: Funke Akindele spotted at Hilda Baci’s record-breaking jollof rice cooking event

    Her response quickly stirred reactions online. Many fans applauded the actress for putting the troll in check. 

    Others praised her humility, pointing out that even celebrities use regular items like everyone else.

    The incident reflects the scrutiny public figures often face on social media, where even simple, everyday choices can attract criticism.

  • Funke Akindele, Toyin Abraham reunite at premiere, put feud rumours to rest

    Funke Akindele, Toyin Abraham reunite at premiere, put feud rumours to rest

    Actresses Funke Akindele and Toyin Abraham have dispelled rumours of a long-standing feud after being spotted together at the movie premiere of Wunmi Toriola and skit maker Kiekie.

    They were seen sharing a private conversation and laughing warmly.

    Their reunion follows a heartfelt note by Toyin Abraham, where she admitted that fan rivalry once fuelled tension between them but stressed there was never genuine animosity.

    Read Also: Funke Akindele spotted at Hilda Baci’s record-breaking jollof rice cooking event

    She also acknowledged their past competition in both Yoruba cinema and Nollywood, while praising Akindele’s record-breaking success with ‘A Tribe Called Judah.’

    The viral video of their interaction has delighted fans, who commended their maturity and commitment to unity in the industry.

    Kiekie added a playful touch to the moment, teasing the actresses and later joining Akindele on the dance floor.

    Fans have since flooded social media with celebratory messages, hailing the actresses’ reconciliation.

  • Funke Akindele spotted at Hilda Baci’s record-breaking jollof rice cooking event

    Funke Akindele spotted at Hilda Baci’s record-breaking jollof rice cooking event

    Actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has made a notable appearance at Hilda Baci’s Guinness World Record attempt to cook the largest pot of Nigerian jollof rice.

    The event, held at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, drew massive crowds and featured a custom-made pot measuring six meters wide and 1.3 meters deep.

    Read Also: Funke Akindele, Femi Adebayo, many others honoured at TGMAAN’s Lagos Film Festival

    Hilda Baci aimed to cook 250 bags of rice, approximately 5,278 kilograms, to feed thousands of attendees.

    The record-breaking attempt showcased Baci’s culinary expertise and national pride, following her previous achievement of setting the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon in 2023.

    Funke Akindele’s presence added to the excitement of the event, which was live-streamed on social media platforms, allowing fans worldwide to witness this culinary feat.