Aliyah Mitchell is an Ann Arbor, Michigan-based filmmaker and photographer.

Aliyah is an Ann Arbor, Michigan-based filmmaker and photographer.

Driven by a Deep Interest in all Aspects of Filmmaking – Her production experiences range from producing and directing to gaffing/gripping and post-production management and editing. She holds a BA in filmmaking from the University of Michigan and currently manages and produces documentary-style content to support learning and professional development, promote digital accessibility, and inspire positive culture change at the University of Michigan.

Producer, Director, & Editor – Aliyah owns and operates We Are What We Speak, a film company focused on highlighting diverse perspectives and experiences, one language story at a time. Currently she’s producing and directing a language docuseries and podcast of the same name. 

Most recently Aliyah directed and edited “A Ripple in Ann Arbor” which premiered at the Michigan Theater in November 2025 and was an official selection for the 2026 Ann Arbor Black Film Festival. | In 2024 she created and edited “Right to Read” a short documentary for Ann Arbor 200 about the 1970s Ann Arbor King Case, also known as the Black English case. | Directed and edited “Un Ángel Soñador” with author and cartoonist Phoebe Gloeckner which premiered at the Ann Arbor Film Festival 2024.

Longtime Enthusiasm for Linguistics and Language Acquisition – It drives her to produce narrative and documentary content exploring language, linguistics, and human communication. Having studied 7 languages, she considers herself a practicing polyglot and for Aliyah, reading and studying language of all types are integral to understanding and communicating everything.