Our team at Red Kurita is an ensemble of industry veterans, each a luminary in their own right, collectively forming the backbone of our animation excellence. Together, this ensemble of seasoned professionals form the beating heart of Red Kurita.
Producer / Director
Azwan Abdullah
Azwan started his professional journey as a Graphics Designer with E-Learning companies, where he honed his skills on a multitude of courseware projects before entering the world of animation, securing the role as a background artist for the series, ‘Danial.’ Since then, Azwan’s career has soared to new heights, encompassing a rich tapestry of both local and international animation projects. Some notable highlights from his portfolio include contributions to titles like ‘Diamond Island,’ ‘PANCHA,’ ‘Si Bongkok Tanjung Puteri,’ ‘Panglima Hitam,’ ‘Transformers Rescue Bots,’ ‘Raja Pahat,’ ‘Kukuuharajukuu,’ ‘DanDenDon,’ ‘Chloe’s Closet,’ ‘War of the World: Goliath’ and numerous others, where he wielded his creativity as a Concept Artist. His talents also extended to the gaming industry, where he served as the Concept Artist for titles produced by KashKool Games. Recently, Azwan plays the role as a Director and Project Manager and has spearheaded an array of 2D animation projects. Azwan’s passion for storytelling and project management expertise have combined to create an exhilarating portfolio of animations.
Managing Partner / Chief Technical Officer
Ezwa Ikram
Ezwa Shahputri is the techie of Red Kurita. Graduating with honors from Universiti Teknologi Petronas in 2002, she embarked into the domains of Multimedia and E-learning. With years of dedicated service in the multimedia industry, she boasts an impressive repertoire in game development and multimedia programming. She later on ventured into the world of web development. But her talents extend beyond just coding. Ezwa’s creativity flourishes in the arena of literature as well. She is also a writer, crafting enchanting children’s storybooks and captivating scripts for animations that transcend the ordinary. Ezwa’s literary endeavors have already borne fruit, with a few of her books published. She proudly considers her works her ‘children,’ each one a testament to her imagination and dedication to the art of storytelling. Ezwa is the techie with a flair for creating both digital and literary magic.
Co-Producer (Associate)
Ayie Ibrahim
Ayie prides himself on producing perfection by using every available technology combined with an unrivaled knowledge of the creative industry. He has over 25 years’ experience as a traditional animator, storyboard artist, trainer & lecturer, series director, animation director and a producer. As the winner of ‘Best Animation Director’ and ‘Best 2D Animator’ in the Malaysian Animation Awards in 2011, his short animated film, ‘The Pillar of Strength’ won many awards for best short animated film at various film festivals around the world including Europe Film Festival, Cannes Shorts Film Festival and many more.
Storyboard Artist
Ahmad Kamel Othman (Kartunis Sagu)
Meet the animation and publications industry veteran, Ahmad Kamel, whose illustrious career spans more than 24 years. Ahmad Kamel is the shining star of our team, also a celebrity. His journey began as a storyboard artist with Kharisma Pictures in 1995, contributing his creative talents to the iconic “Usop Sontorian.” He later made waves in the publishing world, joining the ranks of Ujang and APO magazine as a celebrated cartoonist. Ahmad Kamel has also embarked on lending his exceptional skills as a storyboard artist to various local and international animation studios. Among his numerous accolades, one particularly shines: Ahmad Kamel clinched the first-place victory in a prestigious animation competition organized by MDEC, a testament to his unrivaled talent and dedication to the craft.
Animation Supervisor
Syed Fairuz Bin Syed Yusof
Syed Fairuz is a seasoned animator with more than a decade of experience in the dynamic world of animation. Syed Fairuz, a proud alumnus of Multimedia University in Cyberjaya, embarked on his remarkable journey in the industry as a junior animator in 2010. Since then, he has consistently demonstrated his talents and dedication, leaving an indelible mark as a respected animator in every project he has undertaken. Syed Fairuz is renowned for his ability to craft breathtaking visuals and offer a diverse range of animation solutions. His illustrious career boasts an impressive array of projects, including the likes of ‘Transformers: Rescue Bots,’ ‘Skunk-fu,’ ‘Sumo Mouse,’ ‘Flea Bitten,’ ‘Shezow,’ and many more. Syed Fairuz’s contributions have consistently elevated the storytelling and aesthetics of each project, earning him praise and admiration within the animation industry.
Post Production Director
Syed Azral Salim
Syed Azral embarks on his career journey as a 2D animator. With a passion for visual storytelling, he crafts mesmerizing worlds and brings characters to life through his animation skills. Syed Azral then evolves into the dynamic field of e-learning, where he contributes his expertise to the development of digital educational content, where he infuses his creativity into the learning experience. Continuing his trajectory of growth, Syed Azral makes a noteworthy pivot into video editing. Armed with a deep understanding of storytelling and a keen eye for detail, he elevates visual narratives to new heights. As a video editor, he refines his storytelling prowess and hones his ability to convey compelling messages through the power of visuals. Syed Azral’s journey exemplifies his versatility and dedication to the world of multimedia. From 2D animation to e-learning and video editing, his career path is a testament to his passion for creativity and his commitment to delivering excellence in every facet of his work.
Lead Background Artist
Shahizwan Zakaria
Shahizwan Zakaria plays the role of Lead Background Artist at Red Kurita. He is a graduate of UITM with a specialization in Industrial Design and majoring in Transportation Design. His career as a background artist was ignited in 2006, and over the years, Shahizwan’s talents have expanded beyond the realm of background artistry, as he embraced roles as a comic artist and storyboard artist, adding new dimensions to his artistic repertoire. Shahizwan has contributed his creativity to projects like ‘Danial,’ ‘Kuu Kuu Harajuku,’ ‘JINGGO,’ ‘Soccer Bugs,’ ‘FLEA-BITTEN,’ and ‘SHEZOW.’ Each of these endeavors bears the stamp of his artistic vision, enriching the storytelling and aesthetics. One of Shahizwan’s most notable achievements, is his grant win from MDEC for his exceptional comic book. His ability to seamlessly transition between various artistic roles and his unwavering commitment to pushing creative boundaries make Shahizwan Zakaria a true asset to the world of animation and visual storytelling.
Project Coordinator
Zati Iwani Abdullah
Zati Iwani is a versatile professional with a rich background in the animation industry. With over a decade of experience as a Background & Animation Artist, she has contributed to numerous acclaimed projects including “My Starling,” “Best Frenemies,” and “KuuKuu Harajuku.” Her excellent skills led her to serve as a Project Manager, Coordinator, Pre-Production Artist, Designer, and Social Media Content Creator, in multiple organizations, showcasing her adaptability and leadership capabilities. Ani’s dedication to excellence extends to her freelance work as a Background Artist and Project Coordinator, where she continues to make valuable contributions to various projects.
Background Designer
Mohd Rozairi
As our Background Designer, Rozairi has great attention to detail, creative flair, and dedication, that his craft shines through in every background that he designs, enriching our storytelling and captivating audiences. Rozairi discovered his love for art at a young age and pursued his passion by earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art from UITM Shah Alam in 1994. His past experiences include working on a variety of projects in different roles, showcasing his versatility and artistic vision. With a diverse background in graphics design, production design, and background artistry, Rozairi brings a wealth of knowledge and creativity to our team. Rozairi has lent his talents to a number of well-known projects, including ‘Usop Sontorian’ and ‘Adikku Sayang’ as the production designer, ‘Diamond Island’, ‘Laman Rimba’, ‘Hostel Blues’, ‘Super Planet Dolan’, ‘Hi-5 Animation’, and ‘Hello Neighbour’ as the background artist.