Mimi Bartels scores double at Toronto Film Festival

Film producer, Mimi Bartels, has reached a major international milestone with two productions she helped produce represented at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival, and TIFF: The Market.

Bartels is one of the producers of ‘The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives’, which screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, while ‘Old Scores: The Black Book 2’, which she also produced, was presented at TIFF: The Market 2026 under the Global Africa Hub powered by CANEX.

As a producer, Bartels has been involved in the development, financing and co-production of more than 30 films, while her work in distribution has contributed to the release of more than 110 films.

She previously served as the General Manager of FilmOne Studios, and is the co-founder and Director of Creative and Productions at Anakle Films.

Her producing credits include projects that have received significant industry recognition, with her productions earning more than 30 nominations at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards and two wins.

Bartels was also named Nigeria’s highest-grossing producer in 2021 and has served as a juror for the International Emmy Awards and the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.

Speaking on the significance of having two productions represented at TIFF in different capacities, Bartels said the development reflected her focus on taking Nigerian stories to international audiences.

She said, “As I am focused on local to global content, TIFF 2026 was more meaningful in the journey of taking our titles to the world on our own terms.

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“TIFF provides an opportunity not only to celebrate the work itself, but also to connect the stories we are telling in Nigeria with audiences, filmmakers and industry professionals from around the world. Having two projects represented in Toronto in different ways is a moment I’m particularly grateful for.”

Bartels also worked behind the scenes on ‘The Black Book’, Netflix’s most-watched African Original of 2023, helping to shape the project during its early stages. She returned as a producer on its sequel, ‘Old Scores: The Black Book 2’, an Anakle Films and Invention Studios production.

Her work on ‘The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives’, an adaptation of Lola Shoneyin’s acclaimed novel, further highlights her interest in taking distinctly African stories to wider audiences. The project is a collective production involving EbonyLife Group, Nile Group, Genesis Group and Silverbird Cinemas.

Speaking on her approach to producing, Bartels said the goal extends beyond simply making films.

“The goal is not simply to make films. It is to build stories that connect with people, create value and have the potential to travel. That is an important part of how I think about producing,” she said.