Wahyu Aditya (1980) – IYCEY Screen Award 2007 winner

A dreamer, Adit left his full-time job as animator at prestigious Trans TV to start his own business at the age of 24. Today, his HelloMotion School produced hundreds of the brightest young talents in film and animation. His Hello festival attracts 10,000 audience and 300 new works annually, creating new jobs and business potentials for Indonesia’ ever-growing film and content industries. Adit was a national finalist in the 2006 IYCEY Design Award won by Ridwan Kamil. He reapplied again in 2007 for both the IYCEY Design and Screen Awards, winning the last category. The small town boy from Malang went on to impress the UK jury, which included Duncan Kenworthy. “I would be interested to invest in his animation project,” said the successful producer of Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, and Love Actually. At the age of 27 he became the first Indonesian and youngest champion to be crowned British Council’s International Young Screen Entrepreneur of the Year. He is now planning to use his £7,500 grand prize to study the film industry in London and Bristol.

UK jury citation:

“Charismatic and highly committed to the development of an animation in Indonesia, Wahyu has it all: passion, a solid and commercial business model, and a highly participatory approach.  His animation school and festival has already had real impact on the local economy through job creation and has the potential for further growth and export.  In a striking presentation Wahyu impressed the judges with his combination of business acumen to use education to both recruit and nurture local talent and to provide cash flow.  An ambitious leader, the jury has faith he will succeed in building a strong animation industry in his country.”