Funke Akindele Speaks On Frustrating Nollywood Role

Nollywood actress and Filmmaker, Funke Akindele has spoken up about her early professional struggles in acting and her self-taught journey into film production.

In an interview with Arise News, Akindele, noted for her appearances in both English and Yoruba films, said that her path was not always easy. According to her, working on a project with actress Ayo Adesanya marked a watershed moment in her career.

Akindele said: “From there, I met with Fathia Balogun. I met Iyabo Ojo and I told them I need roles and Iyabo said, 'Okay, come come.' She took me to the Odun Fakoko where you have the Yinka Quadri and Taiwo Hassan. She said, 'This is my friend. Give her a job,'”

However, Akindele wasn’t handed a significant role at the time. She talked about how her experience with the Yoruba genre was valuable in teaching her the intricacies of filmmaking.

“They didn't give me the big role. I actually launched myself with my own production. I wrote it, I produced it. But I learnt a lot from the Yoruba movie genre; how to produce. I was always focused on the cameras; how things were moving up and down, I was always checking the cameras, checking the props, checking everything, asking questions,”