Uzbekistan-born and Russia-raised Alia Azamat Ashkenazi has been lauded with two United Nations Awards for her inventive documentary work, and theater writing & direction. A female filmmaker with over a decade of experience, Alia now writes and directs films in the United States and Europe, while also directing Commercials for clients like Netflix, General Motors and Hermès.

Alia has made her narrative debut by writing and directing a featurette Esther’s Choice. A Francois Arnaud-starrer, hailed by audiences as “tender but fraught journey” and “hauntingly beautiful," the romance thriller has won the Best U.S. Narrative Film at Venice Shorts. Prior to that, Alia wrote a biopic documentary Misha for which she also co-directed atmosphere scenes. Notably, Misha was the Opening Night Feature at the 2021 Manchester Film Festival (UK) before picking up the Best Documentary Feature prize at the prestigious Oxford International Film Festival (UK).

Alia just signed on to direct a French independent drama set in 1960s on Reunion island, with French stars Cyril Gueï and Laëtitia Eïdo attached. She also wrote to direct her first studio feature with GAME1 on board to produce. Alia is in development of NYC-based family drama series with Mainstay Entertainment; set to direct an off-Broadway play "Carry On" conceived and produced by Jane Tuv; and is also attached to direct John Klein's biopic on Franz Kafka set in pre-war Nazi Germany.