When I look back at my time at Sunway, what I remember most is the campus life, the friendships, the long nights preparing for exams, and the experience of living in Malaysia, which is so different from Jakarta. Even when I returned nearly 20 years later, certain corners of campus felt instantly familiar.
I was fortunate to have lecturers who left a lasting impression. Mr Jason made marketing such an exciting subject, and his lessons remain useful today. I also remember Puan Haslinda, who told me that my batch was her first year of teaching. And though I can’t recall his name, an Australian lecturer from Victoria University guided my final project and taught my last class was another person who helped shape my journey. The friendships I made, especially with fellow Indonesians, also remain an important part of my life.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Business in collaboration with Victoria University, I initially planned to enter advertising or FMCG. Later, while pursuing my Master’s in Finance at UNSW in Australia, I began to see myself in banking. But when I returned to Jakarta, I found myself drawn instead to entrepreneurship.
That path eventually led me to film. While running a digital and marketing agency, I met a group of creators producing a web series for YouTube. I encouraged them to try making a feature film on a small budget. To our surprise, the film succeeded, even turning a profit. As a lifelong film lover, I was hooked and decided to dive deeper into the industry.
What began as an experiment soon became a serious pursuit. I met directors, producers, and investors, learning the ropes of a tough but exciting business. Producing my first film in early 2020, however, came with challenges. Just a week after we wrapped, COVID-19 forced Indonesia into lockdown. Vendors closed, investors pulled out, and the film couldn’t be released until 2023. But when it finally premiered and achieved commercial success, my business partner and I knew this was the path we wanted to follow.
One of my proudest moments came when our company was trusted to collaborate with one of Indonesia’s most established production houses, a company that has shaped local cinema for 50 years. Breaking into this industry is not easy and gaining that trust is a milestone I value deeply.
Through it all, my business education has been invaluable. Knowledge in marketing, finance, and business law are things I learned at the Victoria University programme which still guide me today. Of course, the world changes and new knowledge is always needed, but those fundamentals remain the cornerstone of my work.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that film is built on trust. Producers must earn the confidence of investors while also empowering creative teams to deliver their vision. Believing in myself and in those I work with has been essential.
Looking ahead, I want to produce films that not only entertain but also inspire and educate. Film is a medium that reaches millions, and with it comes both opportunity and responsibility. That is the vision I hope to continue pursuing.
Dimas Luqman
Bachelor of Business, Victoria University @ Sunway
2007
