Rizal holds a degree in architecture, yet he decided to embark on a career in film directing, a path that has brought him numerous accolades, both domestically and internationally. His impressive body of work includes a multitude of feature films and music videos, one of which, "Sambutlah" by Denada, earned him an MTV 'Moon Man' award.
His first feature film, "Kuldesak", co-directed with Mira Lesmana, Riri Riza, and Nan T. Achnas, marked a significant milestone in his career. The film was released in 1998 and received widespread acclaim. Building on this success, his second feature, "Jelangkung", co-directed with Jose Poernomo, became the biggest box office draw in Indonesia for the year 2001.
Rizal's subsequent projects, including the "Kuntilanak Trilogy", produced by MVP Pictures, garnered significant attention and acclaim. The trilogy's first installment, "Kuntilanak", became the biggest box office draw in Indonesia for 2006, and the third installment, "Kuntilanak 3", won him the 'best director' award at the 2008 Bali Film Festival.
The inspirational drama "5cm", produced by Soraya Films, earned Rizal the 'Best Film' and 'Best Director' awards at the 2012 Bandung Film Festival. Based on the best-selling book by Donny Dhirgantoro, "5cm" is a testament to Rizal's ability to craft compelling stories that resonate with audiences.
Most recently, Rizal's film "Kereta Berdarah" (Train of Death) premiered internationally at the Udine Far East Film Festival in Udine, Italy.
