Biography

Born in 8th March 1978 at Yangon(Rangoon) Myanmar (Burma). Eldest son of Mr.Win Htut Kyaw (Lecturer - Myanmar Studies, International School, Yangon.) and Ms. Khin Swe Mar (Ex .Lecturer- Russian Department, University Of Foreign Languages, Yangon.) Fourth grandson of Professor Dr.Hla Kyaw (Founder & Researcher- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences Yangon and Myanmar Dairy Products Produce Trading) and Daw Yi Kyain (Writer-/ Ex.MD- Department of Women Affairs, Myanmar Radio & Television.)

When the age of 3, his father was transferred to Pyin Oo Lwin as English Language Lecturer then he attended Pre-K & KG schools at this town. He attached to BEHS-2 (Sanchaung) Yangon as Primary student and transferred to BEHS-2 (Bahan) for his secondary & high school student's life.

After that, he joined Institute Of Marine Technology Yangon in 1996 as deck cadet trainee for 1 year at school camp & served to Inland Water Transport, Ministry of Transport from 1997-1999 started as Apprentice Officer and promoted to Second Grade Officer before his legal resignation. He thoroughly worked onto over 60 cruise & cargo vessels along Myanmar upside-down for 3 & half years. In his last several moths, he served as Deputy Fleet Officer at Thanlwin Branch, Mawlamyaing & Personal Officer of his MD, Colonel Tun Aung Myint at head office. Wrote numbers of articles & safety unit video scripts for his department.

1999 to 2002, he played an important role in Myanmar biggest public broadcaster- Forever Group Company Limited as Department Head of Visual Effects Section. Participated in making of 6 Episodes for UNICEF Children Rights Short Anime Stories. 2001, He started his teaching life in newly set-up Diploma In Computer Arts School as lecturer of Non-Linear Editing & Special Effects subjects.

2002 March, he resigned from Forever Group & founded Hepta Digital Art at downtown with his 4 partners and apperantly Hepta became one of the top media solution provider in Myanmar Media Industry within 3 years. He produced Myanmar first full length cell animation story named " High Rise Boxer" & directed TV commercials, corporate videos & events. Also provided hands-on training contracts for Medical Education Center (Ministry of Health), Irrigation Technology Institute (JICA Projects, Japan), Informatics Computer Center (Upper Myanmar Branch), Myanmar Computer Professional Association. Above all, he could marked his profession with cutting edge creations on advance opening ceremonial services such as visual effects displays for ICT week 2004, 2005, 2006 & several events for govenment & public sectors.

He spent his creativities on good will productions such as Sun Quality Health Clinics Franchising Program of PSI Myanmar (INGO), Childhood TB Prevention Program of World Vision Myanmar (INGO), Four Cleans Project of UNICEF in the role of storyboard assistant & art director.

He ran his own video production (Wunna Kyaw Media Production) for 2 years & produced 13 movies to local market. Most of the movies were supernatural & fantastic which could hit the audiance heart.

Also he was the famous trainer of Digital Video Production Techniques & Visual Effects Making in local media industry & taught thousands of trainees.

In 2006, he won the 2nd winner prize for ASEAN New Media Art Competition 2006 from ASEAN COCI (Jakarta, Indonesia.) over 300 applicants from 10 ASEAN Member countries and 1st prize for storyboard competition for UNICEF Four Cleans Project.

Now he is working as Video Editor in Apostrophe Films Singapore & live in Serangoon town, Singapore. He married with Ei Ei Soe (Radio Imaging Technologist) in 2004 & they had 2 years old daughter named "Shin Minn Thit".

Local animator wins ASEAN award

LOCAL animator Ko Wunna Kyaw’s 3D moving image has won first place in its category for Myanmar in the ASEAN New Media Art Competition 2006.

The 15-minute animation, titled Htoo Htoo and the Wonderful Land, was plucked from among nine other national finalists and was one of 30 winners chosen throughout Southeast Asia.

The animation originally ran for 55 minutes but had to be condensed into 15 to enter the competition.

“It was nearly ready to be put onto VCD,” said Ko Wunna Kyaw. “When I heard about the competition, there were only five days left before the deadline. I had to rearrange it in that time.”

He said the competition’s theme, Interaction in Cultural Diversity, suited the plot of Ko Wunna Kyaw’s story perfectly.

The young orphan Htoo Htoo lives with his aunt and uncle (a pilot). One day his uncle lets Htoo Htoo fly the plane and he soars off on his own. When the fuel runs out above an unknown zone, he is forced to make an emergency landing.

This is where he meets a giant named U Balagyi (Monster) with whom he forms an unlikely friendship. They embark on a wild adventure together and make a few enemies along the way.

Little Htoo Htoo teaches the giant about values from his own world while learning how to survive in U Balagyi’s world.

This is Ko Wunna Kyaw’s third animation to be recorded on VCD. Htoo Htoo is a new character he created especially for Myanmar children.

“There are so many good animated English films,” he said. “A lot of Myanmar animations are weak in script and can’t really offer much to children. That’s what really encouraged me to make this. I’m confident that kids will like Htoo Htoo and the Wonderful Land. I hope that they learn something about cultural diversity and that Htoo Htoo’s bravery will inspire them to be adventurous.”

Academy award-winning actor Kyaw Ye Aung and eight-year-old Pho La Pyayt, who has won 15 gold medals in the Myanmar Traditional Cultural Performing Arts Competition, provide the voice overs for the giant and Htoo Htoo respectively.

Ko Wunna Kyaw will attend a ceremony in Jakarta, Indonesia, to find out which of the three prizes he will be presented with in his category. First prize is US$1,000, second prize is $750 and third is $500.

Htoo Htoo and the Wonderful Land was released on VCD nationwide last week.