Funke Akindele's musical drama 'A Tribe Called Judah' shockingly missed out on all 9 of its Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actress for Akindele herself, despite being the highest-grossing Nollywood film ever released.
The 2024 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards were meant to be a crowning achievement for Funke Akindele's critically praised musical drama "A Tribe Called Judah." Instead, it was a night of disappointments as the film failed to take home any of the nine awards it was nominated for.
Despite breaking records as the highest-grossing Nollywood release ever, raking in over 1 billion naira in just three weeks, "A Tribe Called Judah" missed out on major accolades like Best Picture, Best Director for Akindele, Best Writing, and acting honors.
Feyisayo Oyebisi's makeup artistry for the film lost to Campbell Precious' work on "Mami Wata." The writing team of Akindele, Collins Okoh, and Akinlabi Ishola were outdone by Tunde Babalola's script for "Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti."
In one of the biggest upsets of the night, Akindele's powerful lead performance as an aspiring gospel singer was eclipsed by Kehinde Bankole in "Adire" for Best Actress. Timini Egbuson's supporting turn in "A Tribe Called Judah" also missed out as Demola Adedoyin took that prize for "Breath of Life."
Ultimately, it was "Breath of Life" that took the coveted Best Picture award over Akindele's viral box office phenomenon. The historical drama ended up being the big winner on the night with five total victories.
The shutout had to sting for Akindele, the respected actress and filmmaker who has achieved numerous groundbreaking successes in Nollywood over her 15-plus year career through hits like "Jenifa's Diary" and "Your Excellency."
While she put on a gracious face, insiders say Akindele was "crestfallen" by the results after pouring years of work into making "A Tribe Called Judah." However, knowing her tenacious spirit, this is likely just motivation for Akindele's next bold creative endeavor.
