Ziolkowski is best known for his screenplay of the acclaimed animated film The Secret of Kells. The Hollywood Reporter described it as a "stirring tale" of "universal themes of the transcendent power of imagination and following one's dreams" in an "Irish-legend-and-lore-laced script "[3] The New York Times noted that "A gentle spirit of syncretism suffuses The Secret of Kells."[4] Variety called it a "gorgeous hand-drawn 2D animation, which is so retro that it looks like a direct descendent of the medieval illuminated manuscript tradition, perfectly complements its tale... A tour-de-force."[5]
His documentary L.A.X. continues to receive notice: film scholar David James has called it "a disabused, skeptical rendering of the city's grittier underside" which reveals "the noir realities behind the sunshine."[2] It has been described as "an essay" on Los Angeles, an "experimental documentary, and "a fictional structure... a journey through the city."[6]
Ziolkowski has directed, written, produced, and/or voice-directed feature films, television films and series in live-action and animation.[7][8]
- Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! (2012) documentary
- Mazopo (2004) music video
- Death Letters (2000) documentary
- L.A.X. (1980) documentary[9][10][11][12]
- The 1001 Lives of Lia Rodrigues (2006) documentary
- Back to Kinshasa (2003) documentary
Ziolkowski has written, co-written, or edited scores of films, television series and episodes, particularly animation.
- Sadie Sparks (2019) television series
- Alvinnn!!! and the Chipmunks (2015) television series
- Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! (2012) documentary
- The Bellflower Bunnies (2010) television series
- Gawayn (2009–2012) animated television series[13]
- The Secret of Kells (2009) feature film[9][13][14][15]
- Hairy Scary (2008) television series
- Atout 5 (2007) television series
- Khochkhach (Flower of Oblivion) (2006) feature movie[9]
- Viva Carthago (2005) television series
- Les énigmes de providence (The Mysteries of Providence) (2002) television series
- The Southern Star (2001) animation movie
- Mysterious Island (2001) animation movie
- The Greatest Show on Ice (2001) animation movie
- Death Letters (2000) documentary film
- Baby Monitor (1997) television movie
- L'amerloque (1996) television movie
- Billy the Cat (1996) television series
- Highlander (1993) television series
- Counterstrike (1992) television series
- Tattle Tale (1992) television movie
- The Venture (1992) feature film[9]
- Hot Chocolate (1992) television movie
- Fly by Night (1991) television series
- The New Adventures of the Black Stallion (1990) television series
- Circles in a Forest (1991) feature film (with Luli Barzman)[9]
- L.A.X. (1980) documentary film
Ziolkowski has served as voice director, actor or dialogue coach on the following:
- My Knight and Me (2017) voice direction
- Hubert & Takako (2013–2015) television series (ID Audio dub)
- Scary Larry (2012) voice direction
- Sherlock Yack: Zoo-Detective (2011) television series – voice direction
- Lulu Vroumette (2010) television series – voice direction
- Tales of Tatonka (2010) television series – voice and voice direction
- Miss Missouri (1990) feature film – dialogue coach[15]
- Nocturne indien (1989) feature film – dialogue coach and script translation
- Man on Fire (1987) dialogue coach and uncredited translation[9][15]
Ziolkowski has written non-fiction and fiction books and articles, which include:
- Introduction au scenario (Introduction To The Screenplay) (1999, reprinted 2006)[16][17]
- "Comedies and Proverbs: An Interview with Eric Rohmer" (1981)[18]
