Exclusive: Anakle Films Appoints Mimi Bartels as Creative Head and Co-Founder

Mimi Bartels joins Anakle Films' new leadership team as the production company positions itself as a major player in the film world.

Film executive Mimi Bartels is set to be unveiled as Co-founder and Creative Head at Anakle Films, the production company behind Netflix’s global hit, The Black Book. This announcement comes several months after Nollywood veteran Richard Mofe Damijo (RMD) joined the board of directors as Chairman.

Later today, Anakle Films will announce its new leadership team tasked with positioning it as a major player in both the local and global film industries.

“I think we have a clear idea of what we want to do and where we want to play in the global industry,” CEO Editi Effiongs tells In Nollywood. “It’s important to have the right people around us to make that happen.”

Bartels joins Anakle Films with a wealth of experience, having served in various capacities at FilmOne Entertainment for over seven years. She most recently held the position of General Manager at the newly repositioned FilmOne Studios, where she oversaw the production of the first FilmOne Original Adire, and led the company’s collaboration with Funke Akindele on the blockbuster hit, Battle on the Buka Street, currently ranking as the second highest-grossing film in Nollywood.

At Anakle Films, Bartels' role will include identifying potential local and international hits by blending intuition with data, developing stories, and refining them for pitches with investors. She will also pursue strategic collaborations with creatives and other production companies to produce films and stories that resonate with Nigerian audiences and beyond.

“As a co-founder of Anakle Films, my primary focus is on driving perpetual growth and success for our studio,” Bartels tells In Nollywood. “My role encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, including but not limited to creation, development, execution, distribution, relationship-building and industry positioning.”

In Bartels, Anakle Films has secured a well-respected, relentlessly ambitious and experienced film executive whose contributions are poised to elevate the company's mission of providing creatives with a platform where visions flourish and timeless art is born.

“Our commitment is to ensure that every project we undertake stands the test of time and resonates with audiences worldwide,” Bartels adds.