The Story⚡
A novel readers already love. A sequel to Netflix’s most-watched African Original of 2023. Both landed in Toronto this year, and both trace back to one producer. Here’s how Mimi Bartels pulled it off.
Tell Me More
Nigerian producer Mimi Bartels had two productions represented at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), though not in the same space or in the same way. The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives screened at the festival itself, while Old Scores: The Black Book 2 was presented at TIFF: The Market, under the Global Africa Hub powered by CANEX.
Bartels is one of the producers on both projects. Having one film in the festival programme and another in the festival’s market put her work in front of two audiences at once: those who come to watch films and those who come to do business around them.
The Producer Behind the Titles
Bartels has spent more than 16 years in production, distribution and development. She has been involved in the development, financing and co-production of over 30 films, and her distribution work has contributed to the release of more than 110 films.
She is the Co-founder and Director of Creative & Productions at Anakle Films and was previously General Manager of FilmOne Studios.
Her productions have earned more than 30 AMVCA nominations and two wins. She was named Nigeria’s highest-grossing producer in 2021, and Variety recognised her among women making an impact in global entertainment. The Golden Globes also interviewed her. She has served as a juror for both the International Emmy Awards and the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA).
The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives: A Novel Goes to the Festival
The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives is an adaptation of Lola Shoneyin’s acclaimed novel. The film is a collective project of Ebonylife Group, Nile Group, Genesis Group and Silverbird Cinemas, and Bartels is among its producers.
According to the announcement, the project reflects her interest in bringing distinctly African stories to wider audiences. A book that has already travelled through readers’ hands now gets a place at one of the world’s major film festivals.
Old Scores: The Black Book 2: A Sequel With a Personal History
Bartels’ link to The Black Book began before the first film was completed. She worked behind the scenes on the original, which became Netflix’s most-watched African Original of 2023, and helped shape its creative direction in the early days.
She returned as producer on the sequel, Old Scores: The Black Book 2, an Anakle Films and Invention Studios film. Its presence at TIFF: The Market under the Global Africa Hub places a follow-up to a film with a large streaming audience in front of buyers, distributors and industry professionals.
What Toronto Meant to Her
Bartels said her focus is local-to-global content, and that this made TIFF 2026 more meaningful to her. She described it as a step toward taking Nigerian titles to the world on the filmmakers’ own terms.
In her view, TIFF is a place to celebrate the work and also to connect the stories being told in Nigeria with audiences, filmmakers and industry professionals from other countries. She said she is particularly grateful to have two projects represented there in different ways.
How She Approaches Producing
She also explained what she wants her films to do. Making films is not the goal on its own, she said. The aim is to build stories that connect with people, create value and have the potential to travel. She says this is an important part of how she thinks about producing.
Her body of work, as the announcement describes it, sits between storytelling, commercial strategy and international audience reach.
What Comes Next
Bartels continues to develop and produce projects across film and television. Further projects and opportunities are ahead in 2027 and beyond.
In Summary
A Nigerian producer has now stood in Toronto with a book adaptation in the festival and a sequel in the market. Bartels has not said which projects follow, only that 2027 and the years after hold more. If this is what her slate looks like when she is only partway through it, the next title to leave Lagos may already be in development.
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