Award-winning filmmaker and actress Funke Akindele has reaffirmed her focus on telling genuine Nigerian and African stories, stressing that she is not in competition with anyone in the industry.
Speaking at an event organised by the National Film and Video Censors Board, Akindele said, “I’m not competing. It’s not a competition. I just want to tell African stories, you know, our own Nigerian stories. I want us to feel accepted, loved.
“I want them to watch our movies, learn, see what we go through, you know, hear our stories directly from a Nigerian, an African. That’s all I want to do. So this year, you will love it. But let’s keep our fingers crossed. I’m not going to spill it”.
When asked about possible sequels and upcoming projects, she chose not to disclose specifics but expressed confidence that audiences would be excited about what is coming.
“I don’t want to spill it yet. Let’s keep our fingers crossed, but you will love it. You will love it. I don’t pressure myself, I must say. No, I don’t put pressure on myself. I just keep taking it day at a time, doing my thing”.
Akindele’s productions have repeatedly set new box-office milestones, with her four highest-earning Nollywood titles generating more than N7.6 billion combined.
Her newest release, Behind The Scenes, has earned N2.7 billion, becoming the highest-grossing Nollywood movie to date.
She credited her achievements to embracing feedback, constant improvement, and experimenting with fresh storytelling approaches.
“Yes, it says a lot about recreating the story pattern, moving away from the normal thing you do. I listen to constructive criticisms; I really listen to them. I’m a good storyteller, and I want to be the best at it.
“I learn a lot from my competitors, from mentors out there. I watch a lot of movies, I read books, and I listen to stories to grow my craft. It’s very important, so I must say it took me a lot of hard work on Behind the Scenes.
“I just sat down, like I was supposed to produce A Tribe Called Judah part two, and the spirit of God kept saying you have to move out of it… go and do something different, and here I am with it, so it’s a good one for me,” she said.