Born in 1970, Riri Riza graduated from the Film Department of the Jakarta Institute of the Arts and got his Master's Degree in Film Screenwriting from the Royal Holloway University of London (U.K.). Riza gained exposure when his film, "Sonata Kumpung Bataj" won an award at the short film festival in Oberhausen (1994).He then directed "Kuldesak" ('94) with three other directors. His follow-up "Petualangan Sherina"('00), his first major film he directed by himself, was an Indonesian box office hit. His next film, "Elaiana, Elaiana"('02), being his second feature film, was invited to numerous international film festivals. Thereafter, Riza would direct "GIE" and "3 Days to Forever", which received many awards at international film festivals. "The Rainbow Troops", which came next, was the top box office hit for Indonesia in 2008. "The Dreamer" ('09), made as the sequel to "The Rainbow Troops", was also a box office hit. Riri Riza's artistic skills and entertainment talent in being able to incorporate social issues into his motion pictures that appeal to the general audience make him a visual artist of hope.