Zoot Pictures is about telling stories that illuminate the world in new and interesting ways.

Over its 25-year history, Zoot Pictures has produced a range of award-winning documentaries for an international audience. We have produced, written and directed feature documentaries, limited and returning series in a variety of genres, from social-political, science, environmental and cultural documentary, lifestyle programs and drama for the web. Principals Leslea Mair and Leif Kaldor have fostered a collaborative approach on projects that are focused on entertainment and making the world a smarter place.

Zoot Pictures’ creative team have originated and produced shows for a wide variety of Canadian broadcasters including CBC’s Doc Zone, CBC The Nature of Things, Documentary Channel, History Channel, Global, Vision TV, APTN, TVO and Knowledge Network as well as ARTE France, SBS Australia and PBS NOVA.

In 2022 Zoot Pictures opened a children’s animation division, building an animation studio across two provinces and partnering with Paxolotl Media. Currently the preschool 3D animated series “Chums” is in production on season two, animated in: Cree, Ojibwe, French and English.

Leslea Mair

Leslea Mair is a writer, director and producer based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. With a background in theatre and experimental film, Leslea has applied her love of narrative to writing and producing award-winning documentaries and series.

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She has written, produced, and directed documentaries in the genres of science, current affairs, social/political issues, POV and feature documentary. Subjects range from Shaolin monks to killer robots, preachers who don’t believe in god, archaeology and the effects of human activity on the environment.

She has also produced three seasons of the lifestyle series The Prairie Diner, a celebration of food and culture on the Canadian prairies, the science fiction web series, Nikola Tesla and the End of the World, and a 3D animated series for preschoolers, CHUMS.

Leif Kaldor

From the Pentagon to the Shaolin temple, Maya pyramids and the Paris Opera, Leif Kaldor finds great stories wherever they live.

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Leif has directed and co-written award-winning documentaries looking at drone technology, a miracle cure for MS, global air pollution, the enigmatic Cockney Chinese general Two Gun Cohen, killer robots, eco-village life, the ancient Maya and the Canadian architect who won the contract to build the Paris Opera Bastille by mistake.

In addition to his television awards Leif is a Juno award winning music producer and a Gemini award winning multimedia producer.

Orlando Braun

Orlando Braun BA MFA, is a producer and production manager of documentary and factual series, sitcom, and feature film whose films have played at numerous festivals around the globe and have garnered dozens of awards. Orlando is an advocate for Canadian content and actively serves as a mentor for emerging producers.

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In addition, Orlando has worked in New York and Los Angeles with industry professionals such as Robert DeNiro’s Tribeca Film, Manage-Ment (Garden State), Platinum Studios (Cowboys & Aliens) and Film Independent (Spirit Awards, LA Film Festival), he has also worked on scripted feature films, documentaries and factual series in Canada for broadcasters such as TUBI, CBC’s DocZone, The Nature of Things, PBS Nature, Smithsonian Channel, OLN, TVO, Escape, SKY in a variety of capacities including Business Affairs, Production Management, Line Producer, Associate Producer, and Story Producer.

  • Justina Neepin

    Production Coordinator

  • Stephanein Boulet

    Art Director

  • Pascal Boutroy

    French Director

  • Cameron Cottee

    CG Generalist

  • Conrad Dueck

    CG Supervisor

  • Alecs Ganoria

    Surfacing Artist

  • Jamiro Lorenzo

    Animator

  • Silvana Moran

    Character Design

  • Liem Nguyen

    Director of Animation

  • Darren Place

    Technical Director

  • Jailyn Presto

    Lipsynch Animator