Nigerian production company Anakle Films has announced her new signing with 3Point0 Labs, the dynamic talent management house under the leadership of Marquel Martin, former CAA agent and manager of UFC heavyweight champion and boxer Francis Ngannou, and Andrew Cutrow, former CAA agent and Chief Business Officer.
The partnership, which comes on the heels of Anakle’s success with Netflix action thriller film The Black Book, marks a significant milestone in Anakle’s “journey to elevate African storytelling to new heights.” For 3Point0 Labs, it also signifies the launch of a new talent and literary advisory division.
Editi Effiong, CEO of Anakle Films, co-wrote, produced and directed The Black Book which was released in 2023; while Mimi Bartels, former General Manager of FilmOne studios and a stakeholder in marketing and distribution in Nollywood, is co-founder of the production powerhouse.
Anakle’s The Black Book, which was co-written with Bunmi Ajakaiye, is considered Nigeria’s first major hit on Netflix as it featured among the streaming giant’s most watched films in 69 countries last year. The film is about a bereaved preacher who embarks on a quest for revenge following the framing and murder of his son by powerful figures in society.
Andrew Cutrow, Manager and Chief Business Officer of 3Point0 Labs, will spearhead the newly formed entertainment unit, 3Point0 Labs Talent & Literary Management, alongside Randy Faehnrich who is Producer and Head of Content. 3Point0 Labs Talent & Literary Management will join forces with third-party agencies and other management firms with the intention to provide full-scale talent management, film and TV production and business advisory services.
“Marquel set the bar incredibly high with everything he has helped Francis Ngannou achieve across the combat sport, business and charitable spaces,” noted Cutrow. “We’re excited to challenge that watermark on the film and TV side of our business with comprehensive management and branding services for our clients.”
Anakle Limited started out as a digital marketing company before venturing into film with the launch of a subsidiary, Anakle Films, in 2018. The production company made their Nollywood debut with the romantic drama Up North. With offices in Lagos and Toronto, it is committed to creating more infrastructure to enable distribution in West Africa.
Effiong and Bartels expressed excitement concerning the journey with 3Point0 Labs and reiterated the commitment of Anakle to elevating African stories and storytellers. According to them, “We’ve only just begun to explore the depth of this endeavor. The Black Book was a powerful prologue, and we are excited for the road ahead as we build the next chapter with 3Point0 Labs.”
“Editi is an unstoppable creative force that embodies so much of what we have built with our partners over the last years,” Cutrow observed, full of admiration. “We’re excited to target ever greater heights with him as Anakle Films reaches each boundary defying milestone. What they achieved with The Black Book across the globe is a testament to what is to come for Anakle Films and 3Point0 Labs. We couldn’t be more excited to help Anakle Films build out their global ambitions.”
In his address, CEO of 3Point0 Labs, Martin, also captured the keenness of the management firm to support passionate athletes and artists that are ever innovative and community-driven. “We aim to work with talents across verticals who are compelled to reach incredible heights,” said Martin.