Nollywood superstar Funke Akindele has been recognized as one of the most influential women in international film by The Hollywood Reporter, the prestigious American entertainment magazine.
The 46-year-old actress, filmmaker, and producer shared the exciting news on her Instagram page on Tuesday, posting excerpts from the feature that highlighted her groundbreaking work in Nollywood and her expanding global impact.
“I’m deeply honoured and truly grateful to be featured in The Hollywood Reporter’s ‘The Most Influential Women in International Film,'” Akindele 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.”
Akindele also extended congratulations to Nigerian media mogul Mo Abudu, CEO of EbonyLife Media, who was also named on the prestigious list. “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.
The recognition comes on the heels of Akindele’s record-breaking success in recent years. Her 2023 film A Tribe Called Judah became the highest-grossing Nigerian movie of all time, followed by the 2024 hit Everybody Loves Jenifa and early 2025’s Finding Me.
The Hollywood Reporter praised her multifaceted career, describing her as “actor, writer, director, producer — Akindele does pretty much everything.” The magazine also highlighted her production company, Funke Akindele Network, for championing authentic Nigerian storytelling and amplifying local talent.
“It’s about owning and empowering our narrative,” Akindele was quoted as saying in the feature.
The annual list celebrates women shaping film industries beyond Hollywood, with honorees from Nigeria, India, Brazil, France, South Korea, and other countries. Mo Abudu earned her spot for producing acclaimed Nigerian films, forging global partnerships with Netflix and Sony, launching a $50 million Afro Film Fund, and preparing to open EbonyLife Place London later this year.
While celebrating the achievement, the magazine emphasized that the list also serves as a reminder of the continued fight for gender equality in cinema.
“Until the industry makes room for authentic voices from different cultures and backgrounds… we’ll continue to miss out on powerful, transformative storytelling,” Abudu stated in the report.
