Jaime Leigh Gianopoulos

Founder of Her Stories

Founder: Jaime Leigh Gianopoulos (she/her) is a multi-talented filmmaker and creative activist based in Vancouver, Canada. As a director, producer, editor, facilitator and speaker she is passionate about projects that focus on empowering women and advocating for social and environmental justice. Jaime Leigh's ancestral roots trace back to small villages in Laconia, Greece, as well as England, Ireland, and Bratislava Slovakia, and she has dedicated years to exploring and deepening her connection to her heritage through storytelling and reconnecting with the land and water.

One of Jaime Leigh's notable works is the short film 'Our Grandmother the Inlet,' where she served as co-executive producer, co-director, and editor. The film, funded by the 'Canada Council for the Arts' and the 'Hot Doc's Cross Current fund,' is a heartfelt portrayal of a young indigenous woman's profound love for the water and inlet, seen as a reciprocal relationship with her Grandmother (Ta7a). The film received an honourable mention and runner up for best Canadian short film at this year’s Vancouver International Film Festival and played at ImagineNATIVE 2023, The American Indian Film Festival, Slamdance, Bigsky Documentary Film festival, Maori Land, GEMS, The Portland Eco Film Festival and more…

Additionally, Jaime Leigh received full funding from 'The Canada Council for the Arts' for her upcoming short film 'Ask the Plantain.' Shot on the beautiful islands of Crete and Laconia, the film explores the complex emotions of not fully belonging to the lands one is born on or the lands their ancestors came from. Drawing inspiration from the myth of Demeter and Persephone, the film delves into themes of grief and the cycles of life, death, and rebirth. Ask the Plantain premiered at the 30th annual Slamdance Film Festival in Parkcity, Utah opening up for the festival’s opening film “One Bullet” by Academy Award-winning filmmaker and NYU Professor Carol Dysinger.

Recognized for her talent and dedication, Jaime Leigh was selected as one of five prominent filmmakers for the prestigious 'Breakthrough Program 2022' by the Documentary Organization of Canada. She is a graduate of the 'Toronto Film School' and has participated in various creative training programs, including those by Hot Docs, Whistler Film Festival, Doc BC, and The Sundance Collab Institute. She has also completed an in person training with Dr. Clarrisa Pinkola Estes The Cloud of Unknowning: Fastening oneself to trueself, Archetypal Cross-Cultural Psychology with an emphasis on modalities of creativity.

Presently, Jaime Leigh released a music video for Juno-nominated artist Desiree Dawson's 'Mountain Tops.' She is also a 200-hour certified Modo Yoga teacher, awarded the "Be Peace Scholarship" for her outstanding work in social and environmental justice. Jaime is passionate about ceremony and continuing her studies within the health and wellness world. In addition to her creative pursuits, she leads inspirational talks and conducts creative workshops to empower youth. Jaime Leigh is the founder of Meli Meli Creative Tour, a unique travel experience that invites people to join her on 8-day wellness retreats in Greece, Peru, Costa Rica and more…

Jaime Leigh Has shot and edited for the 2022 and 2023 Vancouver Indigenous Fashion week, Indi City, Malmama Boutique, and more.

Another notable achievement in Jaime Leigh's repertoire is the short film she co-directed, executive produced, and edited, titled "What About Our Future?" The film was distributed through 'Hollywood Suite' and screened at numerous film festivals and humanitarian events worldwide. It was even honored with 'The Nigel Moore Youth Programming Award' at DOXA 2021, making it the first short film to receive this accolade. The film's impact extended further through its participation in SIMA Classrooms, Hot Doc's Classrooms, and SMI's 'Story Money Impact Program,' reaching over 500 classrooms and inspiring youth to seek creative solutions for social and environmental justice. The film is currently part of an exhibition at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.