I Invite You
To join me on a beautiful eight-day creative journey across my ancestral homelands of Greece. Something happens to my nervous system when I arrive here. I start to shift from a state of anxiousness to relaxation and peace. Whenever I move into this space, a softness, femininity, a vital and creative part of myself is lit. I want to introduce you to the gifts this land, water, and people have to offer. Join me for 8 days as we make our way across the landscape exploring organic farms, vineyards, ruins, and exquisite beaches. Let's eat delicious home-cooked meals, drink a glass of wine under the stars, dance, fall asleep to the sounds of the waves, and gather for morning practices and creative workshops. I believe that every person has creativity within them. Whether it's the way you dress, the way you cook, the stories you tell, or the songs you sing. I believe one of the keys to living a good life is to embrace this part of our nature. This tour is designed to give you a taste of Greece and gently dig out your creative glory so you can spread it back home, and everywhere you go.
Your Host
Jaime Leigh (Demetra) Gianopoulos
Jaime Leigh Gianopoulos (she/her) Jaime Leigh (Demetra) Gianopoulos is a director, producer, and editor based in Vancouver, Canada. Her projects primarily concern the empowerment of women and social and environmental justice. Her grandparents are from two small villages in Laconia, Greece. Jaime Leigh has spent many years journeying back to her ancestral roots and developing a deeper connection through storytelling, and reconnection to the land and water.
Jaime is the co-executive producer, co-director, and editor of the short film ‘Our Grandmother the Inlet’ which received funding from the ‘Canada Council for the Arts' and the ‘Hot Doc’s Cross Current fund.' The film features her co-director/executive producer, Kayah George, as a reciprocal love letter portraying a young indigenous woman's intrinsic love towards the water and inlet. Loving and living in reciprocity with the water the same way one would with their Grandmother (Ta7a).
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She also received full funding through ‘The Canada Council for the Arts' for her short film ‘Ask the Plantain’ which was shot on the island of Crete with an all-female crew in May 2022. The film explores the idea of the grief and liminal space between not belonging to the lands you were born on, but also not belonging to the lands your ancestors once came from. Using archetypal patterns from the myth of Demeter and Persephone to draw parallels between her internal search and the cycles of life, death, and rebirth. Both films will have their premiere and festival run in 2023.
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​Jaime Leigh was selected as one of five prominent filmmakers by the Documentary Organization of Canada’s ‘Breakthrough Program' 2022. Graduate from the 'Toronto Film School' and participant in many creative training's through Hot Docs, Whistler Film Festival, Doc BC, The Sundance Collab Institute, and her favourite author/elder Dr. Clarrissa Pinkola Estes (Women Who Run with the Wolves).
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Jaime Leigh is also a 200-hour certified Modo Yoga teacher in which she received the “Be Peace Scholarship” for excellence in social and environmental justice work. She also leads and offers inspirational talks and creative workshops to empower youth. She is the founder of Meli Meli Creative Tour which brings groups of people on 10 day creative travel tours across Greece.
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Her short film “What About Our Future?” was distributed through ‘Hollywood Suite’ and played at film festivals and humanitarian festivals worldwide, receiving ‘The Nigel Moore Youth Programming Award’ at DOXA 2021. Participating in SIMA Classrooms, Hot Doc’s Classrooms, and SMI’S 'Story Money Impact Program.' The film played in over 500 classrooms, inspiring youth toward creative social and environmental justice solutions.
Traveling with Jaime has always been a trip to remember. I have traveled with her on her all-women's retreat in Peru. The retreat in Peru has changed me deeply in a positive way, I have learned how to deeply connect with myself and nature more than ever before.The food and accommodations were better than expected. Jaime is very artistic, nurturing and fun. She will always make sure you are comfortable and taken care of. She takes pride in getting to know the locals and their culture. If you're looking for a trip to remember, join her on one of her retreats and you will be very pleased, you did so."
Kelly Rangel, Laguna Beach
