It began in Lagos, in a home once filled with warmth and the steady rhythm of possibility. Then everything shifted. In 2001, Mimi Bartels was just sixteen when her father, a Nigerian Airways pilot, was brutally murdered. The loss fractured her world but it also forged in her something rare, a clarity of purpose, a fierce tenderness and an instinctive understanding of the fragile power of story.
“I was just 16. That tragic experience forced me to grow up very quickly and shaped a large part of how I view life and leadership.”
That moment didn’t end her story. It marked the beginning of a journey that would take her from Lagos to the lecture halls of Liverpool, to the helm of one of Africa’s boldest film production companies, Anakle Films, where she is helping rewire how the world sees African stories.
From Benue to the Big Screen
Mimi’s early education was split between Nigeria and the UK. After a short stint in Benue where she claims proud indigene status, she moved to Cambridge Seminars College for her O Levels. The experience was transformative.
“I built lifelong friendships and was exposed to an incredibly diverse way of thinking.”
She later earned a BA from Liverpool John Moores University. The exposure to different cultures and systems helped stretch her thinking, giving her the flexibility to imagine beyond borders and industries.
“My educational journey helped expand my worldview, encouraging me to see beyond one path or industry. That ability to embrace reinvention and diversification has been central to my growth.”
The “Forced Entrepreneur”
Mimi didn’t set out to start a company. She stepped into Anakle Films with a mission, to grow the brand and take African cinema into international territory. She refers to herself as a “forced entrepreneur” but there is nothing reluctant about her ambition. “I didn’t start the company, I joined Anakle Films to help scale its vision and amplify its global possibilities. So, in a sense, I became a ‘forced entrepreneur’.”
“The gap I saw was clear. Despite the richness of African stories, our distribution systems didn’t allow them to compete fairly in international markets.”
What she envisioned was not just better stories but bolder distribution. Films that didn’t just survive but thrived on global stages.
“I wanted to create African films that could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with major or indie Hollywood titles, not just in storytelling quality but in the number of cinema screens they reach worldwide.”
Anakle Films, a subsidiary of Anakle Group, is headquartered in Lagos and employs five people under her unit with around 40 in the larger group. Their goal is simple, to tell African stories that feel real, look global and last forever.
Staying Ahead in an Age of AI
In a rapidly changing world, Mimi is not stuck in old modes of thinking. She understands that today’s edge is tomorrow’s baseline.
“The biggest shift is AI. Artificial Intelligence is no longer optional, it’s essential. Whether you are storytelling, budgeting, marketing or even navigating investor expectations, AI is part of the conversation.”
But it’s not just about tech. Mimi’s edge lies in how she rewires narratives, returning to familiar story arcs but reimagining them with fresh lenses.
“I’ve also learned the value of constantly revisiting old tropes and narratives with a fresh lens. Storytelling is cyclical but perspective is everything. What’s ‘new’ often lies in how you tell the story, not just what the story is.”
Building Without Blueprints
Every entrepreneur hits barriers. For Mimi, the challenge wasn’t capital. It was capacity.
“Surprisingly, it wasn’t funding, it was skills. The lack of specialized skill sets has been the most limiting challenge.”
In a continent full of talent, there is still a gap in technical and creative experience. Her response is simple but vital.
“My biggest lesson has been that we need to invest in learning and training just as aggressively as we chase capital. If we want to compete globally, we must be intentional about scaling our human capital.”
Global Hits with Local Soul
Mimi doesn’t just talk story. She delivers it. Under her guidance, Anakle Films has produced standout titles like The Black Book, a global Netflix success, as well as Adire and Kambili: The Whole 30 Yards, both of which climbed into Netflix’s Top 10 rankings.
“These projects weren’t just streaming hits, they demonstrated the power of bold storytelling, strategic marketing and collaborative partnerships which I have continued to do.”
She is not chasing trends. She’s setting standards. Each film is proof of what can happen when African creativity meets execution at scale.
Mentor, Maker, Multipliers
Beyond the screen, Mimi is deeply involved in developing the next generation of storytellers. Her work with platforms like AuthenticA, AMVCA and MIP Africa’s Inclusive Lens Awards shows her commitment to mentorship and inclusion.
“I’m passionate about nurturing emerging talent.”
Her experience with the Realness Institute and Netflix’s Development Executive Training has added further weight to her industry insight. She also works behind the scenes, consulting on projects that seek to connect African stories to global platforms.
Advice From the Frontlines
For those trying to break into the creative industries with limited means, Mimi’s advice is as direct as it is empowering.
“Start with clarity. Know your ‘why’ and focus on what you can do, not what you lack. Don’t try to be everything at once, own your niche and grow from there.”
Relationships matter too.
“Relationships and collaboration are gold in this industry. Find your tribe and build together. Also, be scrappy, use free tools, learn online, pitch shamelessly and keep showing up.”
A Future Already in Motion
The horizon excites Mimi. She’s especially fascinated by how AI is changing the fabric of filmmaking, from VFX to smart dubbing. But she’s not just watching the future unfold, she’s shaping it.
“I just wrapped my first series which I created, also wrote an episode (a new one for me) and was Showrunner.”
She hints at more projects in development, including collaborations with the Latin American market. While the details remain under wraps, the momentum is clear.
The Clarity That Cuts Through
Through it all, Mimi has learned one thing above all.
“The biggest lesson is that clarity beats confidence. You don’t always need to know everything, you just need to know what matters and stay true to it.”
She leads with empathy. She doesn’t bend on excellence. She balances vision with execution. And she trusts her gut, especially when it comes to choosing stories and people.
Mimi Bartels is not just building films. She is rebuilding the image of Africa through every frame she brings to life. Her path has been paved with pain and purpose, clarity and craft. What she’s doing is more than entrepreneurship. It’s cultural architecture.
In a world that often waits for permission, she is already writing the next scene. Not with loud declarations but with quiet conviction. The kind that remembers where it started and knows exactly where it’s going.
