Riri Riza graduated from the Jakarta Arts Institute in 1992, then continued his education for a Masters in screenwriting at the Royal Holloway University of London in 2000. He was part of the Kuldesak film movement which is often referred to as a pivotal point in the revival of Indonesian cinema. Riri Riza then became a film director including Petualangan Sherina, GIE, Laskar Pelangi, Atambua 39oCelsius, Athirah, Ada Apa Dengan Cinta 2? and Bebas. Riri has been a permanent lecturer at the Jakarta Arts Institute since 2002. He was a member of the Jakarta Arts Council for the 2006-2009 period. Together with writer Lily Yulianti Farid, he founded Rumata’ artspace in Makassar which since 2012 has been actively holding various East Indonesian art development programs such as the SEAscreen Academy and the Makassar International Writers Festival.