Riri Riza

Mohammad Rivai "Riri" Riza (born October 2, 1970) is an Indonesian filmmaker. He is notable for his directorial work on Petualangan Sherina (Sherina's Adventure; 2000), Gie, Laskar Pelangi (The Rainbow Troop; 2008), and Ada Apa Dengan Cinta? 2 (What's Up with Love? 2; 2016). He is also known for his creative partnership with Indonesian producer Mira Lesmana, with whom he manages the film production company, Miles Films.

Early life and education Riri Riza was born in Makassar on October 2, 1970. He moved to Jakarta in 1979, where he conducted his secondary education at LabSchool UNJ.

In 1993, Riza graduated from the Jakarta Arts Institute, where he majored in Film Directing. As a talented student, his thesis film, Sonata Kampung Bata (Sonata of the Brick Village), placed third at the 1994 Oberhausen short film festival.

Career In 1995, Riza directed two episodes in the documentary series, Anak Seribu Pulau (Children of the Thousand Islands).

He directed his first feature film, Kuldesak, in 1998, collaborating with Mira Lesmana, Nan Triveni Achnas and Rizal Mantovani. His solo feature film debut, Petualangan Sherina (Sherina's Adventure) in 2000, established him as a director.

Together with Mira Lesmana, Riza has also become a film producer. Their Ada Apa dengan Cinta? (What's Up With Love?), directed by Rudy Soedjarwo, had two million viewers in 2002, Indonesian cinema's biggest box-office draw.

Riza studied screenwriting at Royal Holloway, University of London, and then wrote his first screenplay Eliana, Eliana.

His other films include Gie, Untuk Rena (For Rena), and 3 Hari Untuk Selamanya (Three Days to Forever).

Filmography Films YearInternational titleDirectorWriterProducerOriginal title1998Kuldesak 2000 Sherina's Adventure Petualangan Sherina 2002 What's Up with Love? Ada Apa dengan Cinta? 2002 Eliana, Eliana 2005 Dear Rena Untuk Rena 2005 Gie 2007 Three Days to Eternity 3 Hari untuk Selamanya 2008 The Rainbow Troops Laskar Pelangi 2008 Takut: Faces of Fear Takut: Faces of Fear 2009 The Dreamer Sang Pemimpi 2012 Atambua 39 Derajat Celsius 2013 The Jungle School Sokola Rimba 2016 What's Up with Love? 2 Ada Apa dengan Cinta? 2 2016 Athirah 2018 Run to the Beach Kulari ke Pantai 2019 Humba Dreams 2019 Glorious Days Bebas 2021 Paranoia 2023 Petualangan Sherina 2 2025 Rangga & Cinta

Short films

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Recipients Result 2004 Indonesian Film Festival Citra Award for Best Director Eliana, Eliana 2005 Indonesian Film Festival Citra Award for Best Director Gie 2006 MTV Indonesia Movie Awards Best Director Gie 2014 Indonesian Film Festival Citra Award for Best Director Sokola Rimba 2016 Indonesian Film Festival Citra Award for Best Director Athirah 2019 Indonesian Film Festival Citra Award for Best Director Bebas (Glorious Days) 2020 Indonesian Film Festival Citra Award for Best Director Humba Dreams