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8 months ago
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EXCLUSIVE: 3Point0 Labs, the talent management house headed by former CAA agent and Francis Ngannou manager Marquel Martin, is launching a talent and literary advisory division with the signing of The Black Book producer Anakle Films.
3Point0 Labs is best known for owner Martin’s work with UFC lineal heavyweight world champion and boxer Ngannou, who is set to fight Britain’s Anthony Joshua on Friday (March 8). It launched in in 2022 after Martin exited his combat sports agent role at CAA, from which he had placed MMA star Ngannou in Fast & Furious film F9.
It has underscored the launch of3Point0 Labs Talent & Literary Management by signing U.S.-Nigerian producer Anakle Films, which is led by founder Editi Effiong, who wrote, produced and directed Netflix’s action thriller film The Black Book. Mimi Bartels, former general manager of FilmOne Studios and a major player in Nollywood, is co-founder.
Andrew Cutrow, Manager and Chief Business Officer of 3Point0 Labs, is set to lead 3Point0 Labs’ company’s new entertainment division, 3Point0 Labs Talent & Literary Management, along with Randy Faehnrich, producer and Head of Content.
3Point0 Labs Talent & Literary Management will work with clients and third-party agencies and management firms, and look to provide full-service talent representation, 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,” said 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’s film, The Black Book, made Netflix’s most-watched lists in 69 countries last year and is considered Nigeria’s first major hit on the streaming service. It was co-written with Bunmi Ajakaiye and was Effiong’s directorial debut. The film follows a bereaved deacon, who takes justice into his own hands after his son his framed for a kidnapping and fights a corrupt police gang to absolve him.
Led by General Manager Ashley Opusunju, Anakle originally launched as a digital marketing company before moving into filmmaking in 2018 with romantic drama Up North. It focuses on Black and African stories, has offices in Toronto and Lagos, the capital of Nigeria and is also invested in building infrastructure that deepens distribution in West Africa.
“We are thrilled to embark on this journey with 3Point0 Labs,” said Effiong and Bartels in a statement. “Our dream, mission, and hope are to elevate African stories, placing them at the center stage where they rightfully belong, told by African storytellers. 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,” said Cutrow. “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.”
“As a management firm, we will always gravitate towards athletes and artists that are betting on themselves, building community and endlessly innovating,” Martin, CEO of 3Point0 Labs. “We aim to work with talents across verticals who are compelled to reach incredible heights.”
