Funke Akindele has marked another significant milestone in Nollywood’s global rise with the UK premiere of her new film Behind The Scenes on Thursday, 4 December 2025. The film opened in ODEON Cinema, Greenwich, to overwhelming demand, selling out no fewer than seven screens on premiere night, with an impressive turnout that included the film’s lead stars Iyabo Ojo, Uzor Arukwe, Tobi Bakre, Uche Montana and other members of the ensemble cast who were present in London to support the launch. Their appearance added to the excitement and further elevated the premiere atmosphere, drawing fans, media, and the wider Nigerian diaspora community.
This achievement reinforces Akindele’s standing as one of Africa’s most bankable filmmakers and highlights the growing appetite for Nollywood content among UK audiences. The turnout reflects not just fan enthusiasm but a deepening connection between diaspora communities and contemporary Nigerian cinema, positioning her films as cultural events in their own right.
This latest success continues a pattern that began in 2023 with A Tribe Called Judah, a film that introduced Akindele’s blockbuster momentum to UK theatres and set the stage for annual international rollouts. That momentum accelerated in 2024 when Everybody Loves Jenifa premiered in the UK to packed auditoriums, selling out multiple screens ahead of opening weekend and delivering strong box-office numbers across 15 cinemas. Both films dominated Nigerian theatres, each crossing the ₦1 billion mark, yet their UK receptions demonstrated that Akindele’s storytelling resonates powerfully beyond home borders, attracting diverse audiences and reshaping perceptions of Nollywood’s commercial potential
Now, with Behind The Scenes, Akindele has achieved a third consecutive year of UK box-office impact, raising the bar once again. The seven-screen sell-out at signals not only sustained audience loyalty but also growing confidence in Nollywood’s ability to compete in one of the world’s most challenging cinema markets. It reflects a dynamic shift in how African films are consumed and celebrated internationally. Nollywood is no longer seen as a niche offering; it is increasingly viewed as a global cinematic force. Akindele’s consistent performance across 2023, 2024, and 2025 underscores this evolution and affirms her role at the forefront of exporting Nigerian storytelling to wider audiences.
The response to Behind The Scenes also points to broader industry implications. It suggests that Nollywood premieres in the UK are becoming strategic annual events, driving diaspora engagement, attracting mainstream cinema-goers, and proving that African films can deliver the kind of premiere-night energy typically associated with Hollywood releases. Akindele’s trajectory is not just one of personal success but a reflection of the industry’s growing confidence, ambition, and international relevance. With another blockbuster weekend underway and audience demand showing no signs of slowing, Behind The Scenes stands as a testament to what is possible when strong storytelling, cultural resonance, and global distribution align.
The film, which also stars Yoruba Nollywood veterans such as Prince Jide Kosoko, Dele Odule and Fausat Balogun, is set to continue its momentum as it premieres in Nigerian cinemas on Thursday, 12 December 2025.
- Jimi D Baldheaded Guy