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Aliza Brugger is an award-winning screenwriter and director based in Los Angeles, originally from rural Nebraska. They received an MFA in Film from Columbia University, where their work was recognized internationally. Their thesis film "Soma" screened at the 2024 Maine International FF, the 2024 Los Angeles International Short FF, and the 2025 Houston International FF. Their short "Ain’t No Mercy for Rabbits" played at the Torino FF, In the Palace FF, and the Female Eye Festival FF, where it won Best International Short Film. Their award winning short film, "Roadkill," premiered at Outfest, and later became the basis for the feature script of the same name. Both Roadkill and television pilot Trashy were selected for the Columbia University awards ceremony, where Trashy won Best TV Comedy Pilot.
Since graduating, they’ve been hired to direct a range of narrative projects, including "The Casting Couch on Greenwich St.," which screened at the NYC Indie FF, Fort Lauderdale FF, and Citrus Circuit FF, where it won Best Picture and earned Aliza Best Director. They also directed "Hole in the Wall," a short film/music video hybrid set to be released alongside the new album of an acclaimed musician, currently in post-production.
In addition to narrative work, Aliza has directed music videos, branded content, and commercials. Production on their first feature-length documentary, A Little Gay on the Prairie, begins in the summer of 2025. The documentary explores the lives of queer folks who choose to find home and happiness in rural USA.
Aliza is most fulfilled when exploring themes of class, queerness, family dysfunction, nature, and the subconscious. Their goal as a filmmaker is to create empathy and connection.