Zuleika is an independent producer/director, who both films and edits. She founded Distant Object Productions Ltd in 2006 with Martin Briggs Watson going on to win numerous festival awards, including Best of Category Heart disease for her film Understanding High Blood pressure (VIDEOMED 2010).
She teamed up with producer Jacqui Doughty of Walk Tall Media Ltd to co-found Films for Change in 2021 to make not just this film but fulfil a desire to do something to help our threatened planet, no matter how small.
Zuleika was born and raised in Uganda, and the country remains close to her heart. She began her career working on documentaries for Oxfam with RSV productions before spending 2 years in China (on Bafta winning River Films series 'Beyond the Clouds' - CH4 1994) Her BBC documentary “To Bring a Smile” (2001) “Isis to the Nile” (British Council) and Rock Music Rock Art were all shot in Uganda. She loves what she does in all aspects of filmmaking and particularly enjoys focus on culture, arts and environment. She has a BA(Hons) in English, Drama, Film & TV. After her early years freelancing, she established her first video production company Distant Object Productions which continues to offer video and streaming services to a wide client base from NGOs to corporates.
Jacqui is an experienced Film and TV Producer with a passion for making our world a better place and exploring what makes our village, our country, our world, wonderful.
Jacqui spent 13 years at the BBC working as researcher then director & six years as series producer. She was development series producer for BBC Bitesize, responsible for the first 26 hours of broadcasting. She set up Walk Tall Media Ltd in 2008. In 2010 she was BAFTA nominated for a South African short form documentary series called WORLD CUP STORIES and in 2012 made a 16-part series called IN MY SHOES. This series was a day in the life of children across China. In 2017 she was associate producer on THE SIX – a Chinese documentary feature, planning all UK and Southern Irish filming.
Jacqui co-founded a Joint Venture in 2020 called FILMS FOR CHANGE Ltd with Zuleika Kingdon from Distant Object Productions Ltd and together they have worked on their first documentary series - THE RWENZORI RAINMAKERS - completed January 2025.
Although an experienced Producer, her creative input in programme making continues. She writes, directs, and edits, as well as enjoying keeping a close eye on financing and logistics and how to best to tell an authentic story on camera.
Jacqui has won the Japan Prize, 3 x RTS awards, an ETMA award and an ERA award and been nominated 3 times for a BAFTA for her filmmaking. She gets so much pleasure from bringing shared, collaborative and complimentary expertise to projects enabling others to give their best.
