getting bolder...

Our Grandmother The Inlet

Directed by Jaime Leigh Gianopoulos and Kayah George

Production Post Distribution

About the Short Film

Live Action Short Film Original Drama Documentary Experimental

A hybrid documentary film that examines the lives of Kayah George, a young Indigenous woman, and her grandmother Ta7a, the daughter of the renowned Chief Dan George. Delving into their ancestral lineage, the film takes you on a poignant journey as it highlights the significance of Kayah’s deep connection to water, revered in the Tsleil-Waututh Nation as their oldest grandmother and the birthplace of creation. Amidst the backdrop of industry dominance, the film sheds light on the mental health challenges faced by Indigenous youth and their enduring spirit of gentle reclamation as they strive to reconnect with their culture, water, and land as kin and relatives. With its powerful imagery, infused with cultural nuances and the echoes of past and present Indigenous-led struggles, this timely production carries a profound and relevant message.

Screenings and Festivals

Times listed in America/Vancouver timezone

Date Time Location
2023, Sep 29 08:30PM VancouverVancouver International Film Festival —
2023, Oct 1 02:45PM VancouverVancouver International Film Festival —
2023, Oct 22 11:00AM ImagineNATIVEImagineNATIVE —
2023, Nov 6 10:30AM AmericanAmerican Indian Film Festival —
2025, Jun 21 - Jun 21 - AmericanAmerican Museum of Natural History New York —

Jaime Leigh Gianopoulos

Jaime Leigh Gianopoulos is a multi-talented creative based in Vancouver, Canada. As a director, producer, photographer, and editor, 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. Her notable works include What About Our Future? (2021), Our Grandmother the Inlet (2023), and Ask The Plantain (2023).

Kayah George

Kayah George ‘Halth-Leah’ proudly carries the teachings of her Tulalip and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. She is a young Indigenous leader, scholar, and activist. Kayah worked with Sacred Trust and Greenpeace, and traveled globally speaking on Indigenous and environmental issues, most notably COP21-Paris and Garma-Australia and more recently writing an op-ed for Teen Vogue, making it her second time being featured in the magazine. Kayah recently moved to Vancouver from Tulalip to study the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) language at Simon Fraser University full time while traveling and continuing to be an advocate for environmental, social justice, and Indigenous women’s rights.

Production Co

BOLDLY

Executive Producer / Producer

Shelby Manton

Executive Producer

Kristoff Duxbury

Director

Kayah George

Producer

Angelica Stirpe

Director

Jaime Leigh Gianopoulos

Executive Producer

Sebastien Galina

Director of Photography

Farhad Ghaderi

Executive Producer

Geoff Manton