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Aderonke Ademefunade
2 weeks ago
Overview
Funke Akindele shares how she learnt screenwriting by watching Hollywood filmmaker Tyler Perry.
Actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has said American filmmaker Tyler Perry was one of her early role models, who shaped her approach to storytelling.
In a post on X, Akindele reflected on her humble beginnings and said there was nothing wrong with learning from people you admire. “I’ve never been ashamed of my humble beginnings, and I never will be. Tyler Perry is one of my role models and I learnt a lot from watching his films, especially when it came to storytelling and writing. There is absolutely nothing wrong with learning from someone you admire. In fact, that’s how many great journeys begin”, she wrote.
According to Akindele, she built on that foundation by attending workshops and gaining experience, which helped her develop her own voice. Linda Ejiofor beats Funke Akindele to win Best supporting actress at AMVCA 2026. “Over the years, I broadened my knowledge, attended workshops, sharpened my craft through experience, and found my own voice. And I’m still learning because growth never stops,” she added.
The filmmaker added that she is now in a position where upcoming filmmakers cite her work as inspiration. “Today, many upcoming filmmakers say they’ve learnt from my work, and I’m truly grateful for that. That’s how creativity is passed on. We learn, we grow and we inspire others,” she said. Advising creatives, Akindele said, “Never be ashamed of where you started. Keep learning. Keep growing.”
The Nation
