Donny Dhirgantoro

Biography

Donny Dhirgantoro, (born on October 27, 1978, in Jakarta), is an Indonesian writer and screenwriter widely known for his inspiring works. Donny completed his secondary education at SMA Negeri 6 Jakarta, a school he fondly remembers for its unforgettable experiences. His love for writing and reading began as soon as he learned how to do both. He then pursued higher education at STIE Perbanas Jakarta (now ABFI Institute Perbanas), class of 1997, where he was active in the campus photography club and the Student Senate. His first novel, "5 cm", was published on May 21, 2005, and became a bestseller for two consecutive years. The novel tells the story of five friends embarking on a journey that teaches them about hope, dreams, determination, love, and friendship. By 2020, 5 cm had been reprinted 37 times, proving its enduring popularity. The success of the novel led to its adaptation into a film of the same title in 2012. Besides writing novels, Donny is also active as a screenwriter. Some of the films he has written scripts for include "Tenggelamnya Kapal Van der Wijck" (2013), "Supernova" (2014), and "Single" (2015). His career as a writer has taken him to various universities, bookstores, and literary events across Indonesia to share his experiences about the writing world, from struggling to get published to maintaining a career as a writer in Indonesia. Through his works, Donny Dhirgantoro has made a significant contribution to Indonesian literature and cinema, inspiring many with his stories that ignite passion and determination.