Famous Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Funke Akindele, has responded to her colleague, Kunle Afolayan’s comments on profit making strategies and N2 billion cinema gross.
Afolayan had spoken at the recent Lagos Business of Film summit, describing the relentless cycle of content creation required for modern film promotion as “unsustainable.”
While addressing his colleagues on his approach to filmmaking and profitability, the filmmaker during the launching of his movie ‘Anikulapo’, said “There is no competition between us. I don’t just want N1 billion or N2 billion in the cinema that I won’t be able to personally receive N10 million from.”
Afolayan also took a swipe at Funke, saying, “I want to make a film if you guarantee that I do not have to dance to sell that film. Are there other ways? We need to come up with other strategies. How do we sell without exhausting ourselves?
“I do not know how Funke and the likes of them are doing it – creating all of those skits, changing costumes every day.
“I cannot do it. But we have stories we have been working on for more than four years, and we are willing to do,” he added.
However, reacting in a series of Instagram stories, Akindele presented a different perspective, urging filmmakers to innovate rather than withdraw.
She argued that creators can and should develop their own promotional models.
Akindele maintained that she is committed to her own promotional style, stating she is “believing in Gods plan for me”.
She emphasised that the industry holds limitless opportunities, and success does not require following a single blueprint.
“I’m not the one hindering your progress. Karin ka po, yiye ni n ye ni,” she wrote in a mixture of Yorùbá and English.
“If you can’t beat them or join them, create your own path. No allow jealousy burn you. The sky is so big for everybody to fly. Eyin Werey jojo!!!
“Go ahead and create alternative promotion or marketing strategies for promoting your business, or hire a company to handle it.
“You can do it! The opportunities are endless, and everyone has their own path. I’m focused on mine, and I have faith in God’s plan for me.”
