Biography

Robbie Leppzer is an award-winning independent documentary filmmaker with twenty-eight years experience directing over twenty independent film, video, and public radio documentaries for national and international distribution. His critically acclaimed works about contemporary social issues and multicultural themes have been broadcast globally by CNN International and broadcast nationally in the United States and Canada by PBS, Cinemax, Sundance Channel, The Learning Channel, Free Speech TV, National Public Radio, Pacifica Radio and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. His documentary productions include:

Africa Calling
(58 minutes, color video, to be released in 2006) A chronicle of a unique cross-cultural journey to Senegal, West Africa by American musicians and teachers, featuring the internationally-renown Afro-Pop superstar Baaba Maal, talking drum master Massamba Diop, World Rhythms Ensemble founder Tony Vacca, and African-American storyteller, Irma Gardner-Hammond, who along with her 17-year-old son, Earl, make an emotional re-connection with their African roots.

The Peace Patriots
(78 minutes, color video, 2005) A film about dissent in America in a time of war. Featuring music by Steve Earle, Pete Seeger, Ani DiFranco, Billy Bragg, Jonatha Brooke and John Sheldon. Narrated by Janeane Garofalo. Currently under consideration for national broadcast by several U.S. cable television channels.

World Beat
Field producer and videographer for a weekly half-hour news magazine program devoted to world music, globally broadcast in 210 countries on CNN International (1998 - 2001).

An Act of Conscience
(90 minutes, color video, 1997) Filmed in a cinema-verité style over a five-year period, this feature-length documentary chronicles the story of a family in western Massachusetts whose home was seized by federal marshals and IRS agents after they publicly refused to pay federal taxes as a protest against war and military spending. Narrated by actor Martin Sheen. Produced in association with Cinemax. World Premiere, 1997 Sundance Film Festival. Nationally broadcast on Cinemax and Sundance Channel.

Futbolito: A Journey Through Central America
(28 minutes, color video, 1994) A chronicle of five New England young people who travel through Guatemala and Nicaragua who show how a cooperative footgame can be used to make cross-cultural bridges. Broadcast by WGBY-TV (PBS, Springfield, MA) and on Free Speech TV. Excerpts broadcast nationally on the PBS series, The 90s and on The Learning Channel's Amazing America series.

Columbus Didn't Discover Us
(24 min., color video, 1992) Filmed in Quito, Ecuador, indigenous people from North, South and Central America speak out about the impact of the Columbus legacy-past and present-on their lives. Broadcast by WGBH (PBS, Boston, MA) and on Free Speech TV. Excerpts broadcast nationally on the PBS series, The 90s.