Leslie Iwerks is an Oscar- and Emmy-nominated documentary director and producer, and the granddaughter of Ub Iwerks, a renowned Disney animation legend and designer of Mickey Mouse. She graduated from the USC School of Cinema-Television and serves on the USC School of Cinematic Arts Alumni Council.
Iwerks' short film, Recycled Life, was nominated for an Academy Award in 2006 and tells the story of thousands of people living and working in the Guatemala City garbage dump. The film has raised millions of dollars for Safe Passage, a non-profit organization that helps children and families living in the garbage dumps.
Her 2008 documentary, The Pixar Story, chronicles the history, business, and artistic triumphs of Pixar Animation Studios. The film features interviews with Steve Jobs, John Lasseter, Ed Catmull, George Lucas, and other industry leaders.
In 2010, Iwerks produced a one-hour television special, Industrial Light & Magic - Creating the Impossible, which premiered on STARZ cable network and chronicles the rise and pioneering developments of George Lucas' visual effects house.
Her 2011 documentary, Pipe Dreams, explores the controversy surrounding the Keystone XL pipeline and was shortlisted for the Academy Award for documentary short subject in 2012.
Iwerks also produced and directed a feature-length documentary, Citizen Hearst, in association with Hearst Corporation, which chronicles 125 years of Hearst media and journalism.
Additionally, Leslie directed, produced, and edited a 90-second commercial for General Electric (GE) in 2013, which premiered on CNBC.
Since 2012, Iwerks has been producing and directing a feature-length documentary about the past, present, and future of Walt Disney's Imagineering division.
She has been a juror, panelist, and guest speaker for film festivals and has served as a VIP guest presenter on Princess and Disney Cruises around the world. Leslie Iwerks Productions is based in Santa Monica, CA, and the team is developing numerous narrative film, television, and documentary projects.
