Hi, I’m Aria – a filmmaker, writer, and visual storyteller.

My passion is to collaborate with all-star teams to craft stories that speak to life's realities with insight, imagination, and compassion.

I grew up between the US and the Middle East. I once lived next to a busy bus stop in downtown Jerusalem, where there is a mysterious doorway in the ruin of a stone facade. The word “Talithakumi” is carved on a sign over the arch, and the doorway leads only to an imaginary place.

“Talithakumi” comes from a story in the book of Mark about a girl who is dying. Her father travels to beg a rabbi to come heal her, but the girl dies while he is gone. The rabbi, Jesus, arrives and tells the family that the girl is only asleep. He holds the girl’s hand and says to her in Aramaic, “talitha, kumi” or “little girl, I say to you, arise.” She gets up and lives.

Kumi means arise. The goal of Kumi Films is to awaken a childlike hope and imagination in myself and others through crafting visual narratives.

Professionally, my documentary work often features the personal stories of inspiring and unusual individuals. I've also directed short films with animated time-traveling donkeys and write whimsical screenplays. My work has received awards and been selected for screening at multiple festivals. Please see my LinkedIn and resume and reach out with ideas for collaboration.

Thank you for visiting,

Aria Swarr