According to Everybody Loves Jenifa co-director Tunde Olaoye, Funke Akindele’s production company, Funke Ayotunde Akindele Network (FAAN), receives only 35% of the film’s impressive box office revenue.
In a recent interview with publisher Olumide Iyanda, Olaoye disclosed that a significant portion of the movie’s earnings goes to other stakeholders before reaching the producer.
He further explained that while the film’s gross revenue may seem impressive, the actual amount Funke Akindele takes home is considerably lower.
“Even Funke, who is the executive producer of the film, cannot boast of being a super multi-billionaire because of the numbers from Everybody Loves Jenifa,” he said.
He emphasised that the gross figure is not the producer’s take-home, stating, “The dynamics are not as simple, adding that “what belongs to the producer is the net, not the gross.”
The director further elaborated on the financial breakdown.
“A chunk of the money goes to the cinema exhibitors, the distributors who bring the film to cinemas and of course, taxes to the government. If you manage to net 35 per cent of the gross as a producer, you’ve done a very good job.”
Funke has also been addressing distribution of earnings from the film in a series of skits shared on social media.
In one of the videos featuring actress Eniola Badmus and skit maker Kamo State, Funke highheartedly confirmed that the earnings are not entirely hers, as cinemas, distributors and tax authorities also take their share.
The 47-year-old urged fans to help push Everybody Loves Jenifa to the N2 billion mark at the box office.
The film has grossed N1.8 billion at the time of filing this report.
Released on December 13, Everybody Loves Jenifa features a star-studded cast including Patience Ozokwo, Nancy Isime, Bisola Aiyeola, Layi Wasabi, Juliana Olayode, Folarin Falana (Falz), Stan Nze, Chimezie Imo, Jackie Appiah, Adedimeji Lateef, Omowunmi Dada, Omotunde Adebowale and Destiny Etiko.
Musicians Lagbaja and D’banj also make cameo appearances.