Uzbekistan-born, Russia-raised and New York-based Alia Azamat Ashkenazi has been lauded with two United Nations Awards for her inventive documentary work and theater direction. Hailed by audiences as “hauntingly beautiful,” Alia’s narrative debut Esther’s Choice starring Francois Arnaud won “Best U.S. Narrative Film” at Venice Shorts. Alia also wrote and co-directed atmosphere scenes for a soccer biopic doc Misha, which won Best Documentary Feature at Oxford International Film Festival. A filmmaker with over a decade of experience, Ashkenazi recently sold a political drama spec THE RUSSIAN ADOPTION to Forma Pro Films. Mainstay Entertainment are attached to produce her original pilot ACROSS THE HUDSON. Alia and Game One are packaging a dramedy DOCTOR SELF - her first studio film that she wrote to direct. Ashkenazi is also attached to direct John Klein’s biopic on Franz Kafka. Alia is currently in prep to direct a French independent drama set in the 60s on Reunion Island, CHILDREN OF NOWHERE, to be produced by Tik Tak Productions. As a commercial director working for clients like Netflix, General Motors, and Hermès, Ashkenazi champions authentic representation and diversity, making her mark by interweaving real human experience with brand philosophy.