James P Axiotis

Producer. Advocate. Storyteller.

I was born to a young single mother in Athens, Greece—a beginning marked by uncertainty but one that fueled my passion for storytelling and advocacy for the unheard.

Adopted and raised in Southern California, I discovered my calling at age 13 on a film set. By 24, I was one of NBC’s youngest producers, but I soon realized my story as an immigrant and adopted child was shared by many. This drove me to focus on deeper issues like immigration, social justice, and women’s rights through my work.

My passion for storytelling has taken me across the U.S. and Europe, with projects aimed at inspiring change. One of my most personal films, Georgia, tells the true story of my birth mother, a young woman forced to give up her child in Greece—a tribute to her and others who faced similar struggles.

Beyond filmmaking, I’ve dedicated myself to humanitarian efforts. As an officer for the Children of War Foundation, I’ve delivered critical aid in Ukraine and Jordan, reinforcing my belief in storytelling as a tool for awareness and change.

In 2022, I became an Academy Circle Member of BAFTA and donated a chair in my mother’s name at the BAFTA Princess Anne Theatre—a gesture to honor her sacrifice and the pain endured by many women like her.

Today, I continue to create meaningful, impactful content. As an executive producer on Another Place, a documentary about refugees, and a key figure in the relaunch of Reading Rainbow Live, I strive to bridge the gap between entertainment and activism, using stories to captivate, challenge, and inspire.

My journey from an orphanage in Athens to the entertainment industry has been anything but ordinary. It’s fueled by a relentless drive to give back, honor my roots, and amplify voices that need to be heard. The stories I tell are not just scripts—they are my life’s work, and they are far from over.