Popular Nigerian actress and filmmaker, Funke Akindele, has been named one of the most influential women in international film by The Hollywood Reporter, a well-known American entertainment magazine.
The 46-year-old shared the good news on her Instagram page on Tuesday. She posted slides from the report that talked about her achievements in Nollywood and her growing impact in the global film space.
“I’m deeply honoured and truly grateful to be featured in *The Hollywood Reporter’s* ‘The Most Influential Women in International Film,’” she wrote.
“To be recognized among 46 powerful, visionary women from around the world is more than a moment of celebration — it’s a call to keep building, creating boldly, and lifting others as we rise.”
Funke also congratulated Nigerian media mogul, Mo Abudu, who was also listed among the 46 influential women.
“A heartfelt congratulations to Aunty MO… who has also been featured in this great piece. Thank you so much, Ma, for your invaluable contribution to the creative industry,” she added.
Funke Akindele has had a remarkable career in recent years. Her 2023 movie, A Tribe Called Judah, became the highest-grossing Nigerian film of all time. She followed it up with *Everybody Loves Jenifa in 2024, and Finding Me in early 2025, both of which were major hits.
The Hollywood Reporter described her as “actor, writer, director, producer — Akindele does pretty much everything.” It praised her production company, Funke Akindele Network, for telling original Nigerian stories and giving local talent a voice.
“It’s about owning and empowering our narrative,” Funke was quoted as saying.
The magazine’s annual list celebrates women making a difference in film industries outside of Hollywood. This includes women from countries like Nigeria, India, Brazil, France, and South Korea.
Other well-known figures featured in the list include Mo Abudu, CEO of EbonyLife Media, who was praised for producing top Nigerian films and creating global partnerships with Netflix and Sony. Abudu also launched a $50 million Afro Film Fund and is preparing to open EbonyLife Place London later this year.
The list, according to the magazine, is not just a celebration but a reminder of the ongoing struggle for gender equality in the film world. “Until the industry makes room for authentic voices from different cultures and backgrounds… we’ll continue to miss out on powerful, transformative storytelling,” Mo Abudu said in the report.
