Stop Belittling My Work – Funke Akindele Reacts To Criticism Over Dancing To Promote Movies

Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has responded to critics who mock her for dancing on social media to promote her movies, saying the videos are part of a well-planned marketing strategy and not just for entertainment.

Speaking in an interview with BellaNaija, Akindele explained that the idea began while promoting her movie Battle on Buka Street, when she did not have enough money to fund a major publicity campaign.

According to her, she decided to create promotional dance videos from her sitting room using a simple backdrop, a camera, and the support of her brother and cinematographer.

The actress said many people misunderstood the purpose of the videos, adding that they were created out of necessity and hard work rather than for fun.

She said, “I did Battle on Buka Street and I didn’t have the budget for PR and marketing. So I just did a backdrop in my sitting room in my house and I put the camera there. Stop belittling my work. It’s not dancing. It’s hard work.

“If you don’t feel like you want to jump on it to promote your movie, you’re welcome. But you don’t have to dance. Create your own ideas. Come up with something different.

“I want to build the next generation of female filmmakers. I want them to be audacious. I want them to be hardworking. I want people to look back as, oh, I remember Funke Akindele. She gave us the opportunity to be seen and heard.

“She taught us how to be audacious, to be firm. I was watching the next episode of Ayetoro Town, and I saw a lot of young actors. I’m actually emotional right now. I saw a lot of young talent. And, you know, I saw some of them tired as they’re acting. You know, I saw some discoloration on their skin. And I said, ah, Funke, there was a time you were like this.

“I’m not really making money from it. But I just vowed. I said, God, keep giving me the grace to pull people up. They need to be seen. They need to be heard.”