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Film producer Mimi Bartels has made history by having two of her productions represented at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). One of the films, 'The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives', premiered at TIFF, while the sequel to 'The Black Book', 'Old Scores: The Black Book 2', was featured at TIFF: The Market 2026 under the Global Africa Hub powered by CANEX.

Bartels, known for her work in film development, financing, and co-production, has been involved in over 30 films and contributed to the release of more than 110 films through her distribution efforts. Previously, she served as the General Manager of FilmOne Studios and co-founded and directed the Creative and Productions division at Anakle Films. Her producing credits have earned her more than 30 nominations at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, with two wins to her name.

Commenting on the significance of her two productions being showcased at TIFF, Bartels emphasized her commitment to bringing Nigerian stories to international audiences. She stated, "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." She also highlighted the importance of the festival in connecting Nigerian stories with audiences, filmmakers, and industry professionals worldwide.

Bartels has also worked on Netflix's most-watched African Original of 2023, 'The Black Book', and returned as a producer on its sequel, 'Old Scores: The Black Book 2'. Her dedication to taking distinctly African stories to wider audiences is evident in her work on 'The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives', an adaptation of Lola Shoneyin's acclaimed novel. The project is a collaboration between EbonyLife Group, Nile Group, Genesis Group, and Silverbird Cinemas.

In her own words, Bartels explained her approach to producing, stating that it 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.