Nigerian filmmaker and box office sensation Funke Akindele has achieved another milestone as tickets for the UK premiere of her latest film, “Everybody Loves Jenifa,” have completely sold out weeks before its scheduled screening at Odeon Cinemas on December 20th. The overwhelming demand has prompted organizers to secure additional screens to accommodate the flood of ticket requests.
The sell-out success in the UK comes ahead of the film’s Nigerian premiere set for December 13th, suggesting that Akindele might be on track to surpass her own groundbreaking record. Earlier this year, she made history as the first Nigerian filmmaker to cross the billion-naira mark at the box office with “A Tribe Called Judah,” which grossed over N1.4 billion.
The new installment in the beloved Jenifa franchise represents a significant investment in Nigerian talent, with Akindele employing 175 crew members during its nine-week production period. Notably, 95% of the production team consisted of young professionals, demonstrating her commitment to nurturing emerging talent in the industry. The self-funded project also benefited from a strategic partnership with the Lagos State Fire Service, adding to its production value.
Akindele’s consistent success at the box office is no accident. Her previous films, including “Battle On Buka Street” and “Omo Ghetto The Saga,” alongside “A Tribe Called Judah,” currently hold the distinction of being the highest-grossing Nollywood films ever. This track record has earned her the unofficial title of Nigeria’s Box Office Queen.
Industry colleagues have rallied behind her latest achievement, with notable figures such as D’banj, Nancy Isime, and Destiny Etiko publicly celebrating the UK premiere’s sell-out status. Their support reflects the broader industry recognition of Akindele’s contribution to raising the bar for Nigerian cinema both domestically and internationally.
Recently, Akindele shared insights into her journey to success, revealing the challenges she faced before achieving stardom. Using her experience on the set of “A Tribe Called Judah” as context, she described herself as a testimony to the power of self-belief, emphasizing how her past struggles have motivated her to encourage others in the industry.
The anticipation surrounding “Everybody Loves Jenifa” suggests that Akindele’s winning streak shows no signs of slowing down. Her ability to consistently deliver commercially successful films while maintaining high production standards and creating employment opportunities has established her as a pivotal figure in Nigerian cinema’s evolution.
As tickets for additional screenings in the UK become available, the international reception to “Everybody Loves Jenifa” may well signal another watershed moment for Nollywood, further cementing Akindele’s reputation as a filmmaker capable of attracting both critical acclaim and commercial success across borders.
This latest achievement adds another chapter to Akindele’s remarkable story, demonstrating how her combination of artistic vision, business acumen, and commitment to industry development continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in Nigerian cinema.
