Merina Aprillia from Cilegon, who made Kelangkahan, a Viu Original film, is awarded the Viu Cinematography Scholarship

Jakarta, July 17, 2019, Viu Indonesia, a leading entertainment streaming service, announced today that Merina Wahyuni Aprillia, a 17-year-old student from SMAN 2 KS Cilegon, Jawa Barat, is the winner of the Viu Shorts! program. Merina is a production leader of Mitos Cilegon – Kelangkahan, a short film about the myth that a cat can raise the dead if it steps over the corpse. Kelangkahan is one of 17 short films produced as part of the Viu Shorts! 2018-2019 program in partnership with Berkarya!Indonesia. Viu had announced earlier the winner of Viu shorts will receive a scholarship to study cinematography at the Jakarta Arts Institute (IKJ) and an opportunity to work with the Viu Original Indonesia team.

The winner was selected by a panel of esteemed members from the media and entertainment industry chaired by Ilham Habibie (Berkarya!Indonesia) and includes  Vivian Idris, Viu Indonesia’s Content Program Director; Syaifullah, Director of Capital Access Non-Banking of Indonesian Creative Economy Agency;  Suzen HR. Tobing, Vice Principal at Indonesian Art Institute; and Lalu Roisamri, Head at Location Promotion of Indonesian Film Board.

The criteria for selection included: how unique the story is, along with how well it’s told, if it incorporates a local angle and at the same time has international appeal, and if the cinematography meets international quality standards. Mitos Siak Kue Khasidah was elected unanimously on these grounds by the panel as the best short film and chose Merina Wahyuni Aprillia from Cilegon, a production lead of Mitos Cilegon – Kelangkahan as the recipient of Viu Shorts! Scholarship.

Ilham Habibie, from Berkarya!Indonesia commented, “The Viu Shorts! of 2018-2019 really exceeded our initial expectations. Indonesia is a nation full of extraordinary creative potential and it’s been exciting to showcase our talent and culture using Viu as a global platform. With real access to education, technology, international distribution and promotion channels, the ultimate goal is achieving the dream of national creative economic growth. So, it is our endeavour, as Indonesians, to unite and collaborate in continued successful journey together with Viu.”

Varun Mehta, Indonesian Country Head – Viu, also noted, “Viu Shorts is a testament of our commitment to Indonesian creators and local stories. In less than one month, Viu Shorts! films rank the second most watched Indonesian content on Viu. This validates that the theme of “Local Myths”, chosen for Viu Shorts! 2018-2019, has strong appeal. We believe in the power of great stories and it is our endeavour to give such young and incredible talent a global platform. With Berkarya!Indonesia our partnership gave us an opportunity to tap into talent far and wide in Indonesia. Merina is just the beginning and we are hopeful of supporting many more talented young Indonesians like Merina.”

“Alhamdullilahirobbil’alamiin! I’m so happy to be chosen as the Viu Shorts! Scholarship’s recipient. Being involved in Viu Shorts and being mentored by professionals in creating a short film is already a blessing for me and now this! Viu truly believes in supporting young talent and giving them a global opportunity,” said Merina Wahyuni Aprillia on her win.

Viu Shorts! films can be accessed in https://www.viu.com or by downloading Viu Android app from Google Play or Viu IOS from Apple App Store. Information about Original Viu series and other programs can be accessed via @viuindonesia in Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Viu Blog.

For posters of Viu Shorts! films in high resolution, visit the following link: http://bit.ly/ViuShorts