Rising Stars: Meet Aliza Brugger of Melrose Hill

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aliza Brugger

Hi Aliza, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey as a filmmaker began on a working-class farm in rural Nebraska, where my access to the outside world was extremely limited. We only had three TV stations, and our VCR was constantly broken, so every week, when my mom went into town to give piano lessons, I would tag along, seizing the opportunity to watch whatever TV I could in the basements or guest rooms of her students where I caught glimpses of shows like Nip/Tuck, The L Word, and The Sopranos—worlds so different from my own.

These experiences sparked my curiosity about life beyond my little farm and for storytelling, particularly around themes of class and queerness. As a first generation college student, I was proud to have earned an MFA in film from Columbia University. My work has since been recognized internationally, and I’ve been hired to write and direct on several meaningful projects since graduating. My goal is to create empathy and connection through my work.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As a queer person from a conservative, rural background, I often felt like I didn’t fit into the worlds I was stepping into, whether at Columbia University or in the Los Angeles film industry. For a long time, I hid parts of my identity, thinking they were liabilities. But I’ve learned that embracing my ruralness and queerness has been crucial to building the confidence needed to survive in this industry. Once I accepted and celebrated these aspects of myself, my work became more authentic and impactful.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a filmmaker who focuses on exploring class, queerness, family dysfunction, and the subconscious. I’m particularly proud of my ability to connect audiences to characters in ways that force them to empathize. I’m known for building worlds that are rich and unfamiliar to viewers, and for visualizing the subconscious in a way that feels authentic and visually interesting.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My advice to those just starting out is to embrace the freakish parts of yourself. Hiding aspects of your identity does a disservice to your work and to yourself. The more you lean into what makes you different, the more genuine and powerful your work will become. Your perspective is your greatest asset in this industry, and it’s what will make you stand out.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.alizabrugger.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aliza.brugger/
• Other: https://vimeo.com/user108606865