There’s a New Big Fish in Nollywood

Where It All Began

Many fish in the river, but this is the biggest

Africans have always been storytellers. Long before cameras and cinema halls, there were tales told under the moonlight, stories that carried laughter, warnings, hope, and memory. Those weren’t just stories; they were worlds we built for ourselves, shaped in our own voices.

In 2024, something new took flight. Flying Whale launched as the independent production arm of Anakle Films, with one simple mission: to tell bold African stories without gatekeepers, excuses, or compromise. It wasn’t just the start of a company; it was the start of a movement.

At Flying Whale, we’re reaching back to that tradition. We want to catch those stories and set them free on the big screen, told with the same honesty and magic that made them last generations. No filters, no outsiders “explaining” us. Just us, telling it as only we can.

The Big Fish in the Sea

So, what makes Flying Whale different from everyone else splashing around in the waters of African cinema? Simple: we’re not trying to copy Hollywood or chase trends. We’re building something rooted; something that feels like home.

Our power trio, Editi Effiong, Mimi Bartels, and Ashley Opusunju, have been behind some of Nigeria’s biggest cultural moments. From Netflix hits like The Black Book to record-breaking cinema runs, to brand campaigns that shaped pop culture, they’ve done it all. Now they’re bringing that firepower together under one banner.

And here’s the real difference: authenticity isn’t a buzzword here. It’s the entire business model. The stories are born here, crafted here, and told here; by Africans, for Africans. That’s how you get cinema that feels alive, not imported.