Peter Lepeniotis (born 1965) is a Canadian animator, film director, screenwriter and producer of Greek descent. He is probably best known for his 2005 animated short
Surly Squirrel. He has adapted the short into a full length feature film, titled
The Nut Job, in which Lepeniotis has co-written and directed. It was released theatrically in January 17, 2014 by
Open Road Films and
The Weinstein Company. Due to the film's successful opening weekend in the box office, Lepeniotis has green lighted a sequel
The Nut Job 2, which is expected for a release in January 15, 2016. He will serve once again as director and co-writer of the sequel.