W H O W E A R E
At Pigtail Productions, we harness the power of film, art, and storytelling to amplify voices, inspire empathy, and create meaningful social impact. Our mission is to produce creative work that sparks conversation, promotes understanding, and shines a light on individuals and communities whose stories often go unheard.
We collaborate with diverse voices and use multiple forms of creative expression — including documentary film, visual art, and multimedia projects — to explore both the challenges and triumphs of the human experience. Every project is rooted in authenticity, compassion, and respect for the people and communities we represent.
Through our work, we aim to raise awareness, foster connection, and inspire action toward greater compassion, social justice, and community support. Whether through film, photography, or art, we believe creativity has the power to bring people together and create lasting change.
Koko VanDernoot
Koko VanDernoot is an 11th-grade student, athlete, actor, philanthropist, award-winning filmmaker, and co-founder of Pigtail Productions — a creative studio focused on using film, art, and storytelling to inspire empathy, spark conversation, and create meaningful social impact. Passionate about using creative expression to make a difference, Koko combines her interests in filmmaking, advocacy, and community service to shine a light on important social issues and the people working to create change.
Koko secured her first co-star role in 2019 on NOS4A2 before turning her focus toward documentary filmmaking. In 2020, during the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, she created her first documentary, Why I Give, which explored the motivations behind acts of kindness and service. The project reflected her belief that storytelling has the power to inspire compassion, connection, and positive action.
A dedicated volunteer and Youth Advisory Board member for The B Fund, Koko has long been committed to philanthropy and advocacy, particularly in support of families caring for critically ill children.
Most recently, Koko co-directed Finding Hope alongside her brother Brody VanDernoot in partnership with Nomad Media International after the siblings were awarded The Alex Cohn Grant at Beaver Country Day School. The powerful short documentary tells the story of Tommy's Place — a sanctuary that provides families facing childhood cancer with free, week-long retreats in a beautiful Cape Cod home. Through heartfelt interviews with the founder, dedicated volunteers, and families whose lives have been forever changed, Finding Hope explores the transformative power of community, kindness, and human connection.
Through her work with film, storytelling, and social impact initiatives, Koko hopes to continue creating projects that foster empathy, inspire action, and remind audiences of the enduring power of hope.
Kathleen VanDernoot
Kathleen VanDernoot is a documentary film producer, philanthropist, and co-founder of Pigtail Productions — a creative studio focused on using film, art, and storytelling to inspire empathy, spark conversation, and create meaningful social impact.
In 2012, Kathleen founded The B Fund, a nonprofit organization that provides financial support and resources to families caring for critically ill children. Prior to that, she began her career as a middle school teacher before spending 15 years at Pearson Education, where she focused on corporate partnerships, volunteerism, and community outreach initiatives.
In 2020, Kathleen and her daughter Koko founded Pigtail Productions with the goal of creating impactful stories that foster empathy and inspire action. Their first documentary, Why I Give, explored why individuals choose to make a difference in the lives of others.
Kathleen later pursued her interest in documentary filmmaking through studies at Emerson College. Her first film created through the program, Framing Freedom, made in partnership with Nomad Media International, follows Brody, a 16-year-old student from Boston, as he embarks on a transformative journey to help others discover their authentic selves through the lens of a camera.
Kathleen grew up in Tampa and attended University of Tampa. She currently serves on the Newborn Medicine and Reproductive Health Advisory Board at Mass General Brigham and on the Advisory Council and Nominating Committee at MSPCA-Angell.
Kathleen lives in Boston with her husband, their two children, and two pugs.