Funke Akindele Targets ₦5 Billion with ‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’
Last year, A Tribe Called Judah, a film by Funke Akindele, became the highest-earning movie of 2023, raking in over ₦1 billion at the box office. Now, the acclaimed Box Office Queen is gearing up to reach an ambitious target of ₦5 billion with her latest project, Everybody Loves Jenifa, set to debut in cinemas on December 13, 2024.
As is her tradition, Funke Akindele launched promotional efforts for the film well in advance of its release. Renowned for her innovative and extravagant marketing strategies, she once again made an early start to build anticipation.
During an exclusive Exhibitor Soirée at Film House Cinemas on November 20, 2024, the accomplished filmmaker expressed her confidence in achieving record-breaking success.
“We can beat ₦5 Billion, I have faith,” she stated. Reflecting on the challenges faced last year, when A Tribe Called Judah was leaked online, she urged stakeholders and audiences to remain vigilant. The unauthorized leak had threatened the film’s revenue, and this year, Akindele emphasized the importance of safeguarding her work.
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“I plead with you guys, I know things are hard now, but I want to beg you to be security conscious. People use their phones to film. Remember what happened to us last year, with A Tribe Called Judah? Please let’s be very careful, let’s be vigilant. It’s our movie. We want to make money from it. Imagine what we would have made if A Tribe Called Judah wasn’t pirated. But we thank God. This is another opportunity, please protect this film for me. Please I beg you in the name of God, no phones. We had to record a video to tell people, no recordings,” she appealed passionately.
The upcoming movie, Everybody Loves Jenifa, boasts an impressive cast lineup. Funke Akindele will reprise her beloved role as Jenifa, alongside Folarin ‘Falz’ Falana as Sege. Joining them are stars like Jackie Appiah, Nancy Isime, Stan Nze, Bisola Aiyeola, Patience Ozokwor, Chimezie Imo, and Isaac Olayiwola (Layi Wasabi).