Tengku Adrian Ismail

Tengku Adrian Ismail (born as Tengku Adrian Tuan Ismail) is a Malaysian scriptwriter, short film director, corporate communications professional, and an academician. His multifaceted career spans across creative, corporate and educational domains, making significant contributions to each. In the creative domain, he is best known for his writing of the 2006 feature film Bilut and for directing the multiple award winning short The Dover Never Breaks Its Promise.

 Early Life and Education 
Tengku Adrian Ismail was born in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia. He pursued his secondary education at Malay College Kuala Kangsar, before pursuing his tertiary education at Institut Teknologi Mara. He completed his post graduate studies in Communication at Universiti Sains Malaysia in 2012. 

Between 1994 and 2002, he independently studied film and scriptwriting, building a solid foundation in film studies. His self-directed learning during this period provided him with extensive knowledge and skills in screenwriting. In 2002, he furthered his expertise by enrolling in a six-month Certificate course in Film Studies at the National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS). This formal education marked a significant breakthrough in his film career, enhancing his understanding and opening new opportunities in the industry. It also marked the beginning of his valuable friendships and mentorships with prominent figures in the Malaysian film industry, including Hamzah Hussin and Adman Salleh.

 Career 
Tengku Adrian Ismail began his career in Corporate Ccommunication as early as 1997, and has since established himself as a skilled practitioner. He has been involved in developing and implementing communication strategies for various organisations, helping to manage their corporate image and public relations efforts.

His professional journey as a scriptwriter started in 2002. A significant milestone came in 2004 when he wrote a television series based on the 1950 novel Rumah Itu Dunia Aku (The House Is My World) by Hamzah Hussin. The series, which showcased his scriptwriting talents, was broadcast on RTM from September to December 2004, marking a notable achievement in his career.

In 2006, he was entrusted with the responsibility of writing a big-budget film entitled Bilut. The film received widespread acclaim for its quality and storytelling, further establishing his reputation in the industry.

In addition to his creative and corporate roles, Tengku Adrian is actively engaged in academia. He contributes as lecturer and Fellow specifically in Communication studies at several colleges and universities. His academic work includes publications on Public Relations vs. Advertising, and he has participated in conferences and seminars related to communication and media studies.

Beginning 2008, he directed short films. His work in film has been recognised for its creativity and storytelling, earning him the London Independent Film Award 2018, amongst several others. His notable projects include The Dove Never Breaks Its Promise (Merpati Putih Tak Pernah ingkar Janji) and Bayang (The Shadow).

 List of Works (as scriptwriter) 

 Rumah Itu Dunia Aku (2004)
 Bilut (2005)
 Jauhnya Lambaian Itu (2006)
 Kemboja (2008)

 Bunga Jantan (2008)
 Bertemu kasih (2009)
 Fatamorgana (2011)

 List of Works (as director) 

 Merpati Putih Tak Pernah ingkar Janji (2018)
 Bayang (2018)
 Sepetang di Kafe Biblioholic (2019)
 Seruling Bambu (2020)
 Tangisan (2020)

 Contributions and Achievements 
Throughout his career, Tengku Adrian Ismail has made significant contributions in his fields of expertise. His films have been celebrated for their innovation and impact, while his corporate communication strategies have influenced the way organisations engage with their audiences. In academia, he has enriched the field of communication through his research and teaching.

He is a two-time winner of the FINAS scriptwriting competition with his Serendah Sekebun Bunga (2003) and Telaga Atas Bukit (2006).

From 2005 to  2009, he was one the panel script evaluators for the National Film Development Board (FINAS).