Leigh
Powis

about the speaker

Leigh Powis spent his early years in the mountain town of Chamonix, France, then lived for a decade in Gloucestershire, England, before settling in Whistler, BC—a Canadian ski resort where he launched his career as a professional freestyle skier. After several ACL surgeries, Leigh shifted from skiing in front of the camera to working behind it, creating ski films. That pivot led him to directing campaigns for major brands including Adidas, Under Armour, HOKA, Powerade, Puma, and Oakley.

Leigh is known for his energy, curiosity, and commitment to practical filmmaking. His foundation as an editor shapes his distinctive visual rhythm and storytelling. He oversees each project from start to finish, ensuring his ideas, energy, and identity are embedded in every frame—resulting in work that is both original and emotionally resonant.

His unique approach has earned him multiple awards, including several Golds at Clio Sports, CICLOPE, and 1.4 Awards.

A recent campaign—an 8-minute film for FC Barcelona—was shot using 16mm and slow-motion digital cameras. What set the project apart was Leigh’s bold use of light: using only natural sunlight, handheld flashlights, and a sophisticated mirror system to focus and bounce light. The film also incorporated infrared imagery, broken mirror shots, and handcrafted visual elements like sun silhouettes and reflective water and glass objects. These practical effects symbolized themes of time, identity, and sacrifice—anchoring every frame in the philosophy: minimal tools, maximum expression.