Alia Ardon

Alia Ardon is an emerging filmmaker and researcher with a deep interest in the plurality of historical narratives and the sociopolitical tools that shape them over time.

Among her notable collaborative works are her role as a co-director of Border Farce (2023) with Safdar Ahmed, commissioned by documenta fifteen, and as the collaborating filmmaker for Deborah Kelly’s CREATION project.

Her work has been shown in e-flux (New York City), Mona Foma (Launceston), documenta fifteen (Kassel), Think Tanger, ZargaLab Ramadan Screenings (Marrakech), the Prague Quadrennial (Prague) and the State Library of NSW, Verge Gallery, Firstdraft, PACT Centre for Emerging Artists and SWANA Film Festival on Gadi Country, among others.

Recently, she was a research resident at the Bouanani Archives in Rabat, where she led the beginning of her research on ecological imperialism and the 20th-century industrialisation of gum trees in Morocco. Her film in development, Kalitus, which investigates the journey of eucalyptus to Morocco from so-called Australia, was awarded first prize at the USU Creative Awards 2024, and her Honours thesis on the topic was awarded the University Medal at The University of Sydney in 2026.

Instagram: @aliaardon

Location: Gadigal (Sydney)

Movie location I call home: A café in Bouanani’s Six and Twelve.

What was the film or experience that made you want to write about the screen? Compulsive scribbling in my Notes app after most screenings – because I couldn’t not write it all down!

Why do you think film criticism matters in 2026? It’s a part of a healthy cinematic ecosystem.

Who is a critic that inspires you? The Tizintizwa Collective.

In five words (or less), the future of cinema is: Ciné-clubs in our living rooms.

What’s the best thing you’ve seen this year so far? I loved seeing Life After Siham (2025) at Cinema Zawya in Cairo, and, for the first time, Panah Panahi’s Hit the Road (2021). I also loved watching Sarah Maldoror’s A Dessert for Constance (1981). All of these use absurdity and humour in ways that I find inspiring.

What’s your MIFF 2026 theme music? Anything by Khadija El Warzazia.