Desh Amila
Desh Amila.[1] is a Sri Lankan-born[2], Australia-based entrepreneur, TV/radio presenter, filmmaker and philanthropist[3]. Since graduating from Melbourne’s Deakin University with a Bachelor of Arts in Screen Studies and Photography in 2005, Amila has spearheaded projects in the Australian and New Zealand entertainment and education industries across music, film, and events[4].
Music
In 2005, Amila founded the hip-hop-based website and forum Planet Urban, for which he provided interviews with contemporary hip-hop artists during their Australian tours, such as Talib Kweli, Ja Rule, and Naughty By Nature. The site would later transition into STASH Magazine[5] in 2012, before Amila left the company in 2014 to pursue his career in event management full-time.
Events
Think Inc.
In 2011, Desh founded the ‘edutainment’ event company Think Inc. The company’s first conference was held in Melbourne and featured speakers such as astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson[6], skeptic Michael Shermer, political activist Ayaan Hirsi Ali, and late journalist Christopher Hitchens. Amila subsequently directed his attention to other projects, before reviving the company in late 2013 to pursue full-time. In 2014, the company held its second event with theoretical physicist Dr Michio Kaku[7], and has since hosted public figures such as Sam Harris, Maajid Nawaz, Richard Dawkins, Neil deGrasse Tyson[8], Jane Goodall, Julian Assange, Edward Snowden, Steve Wozniak, James Randi, and Ben Goldacre[9].
VIDInc
In 2012, Amila organized VIDInc[10], an Australia-wide convention featuring social media celebrities including Lilly Singh (aka Superwoman), Jenna Marbles[11], and Ryan Higa (aka Nigahiga)[12]
‘This is 42’
In early 2018, Amila resigned from Think Inc. to found ‘This is 42’, a media platform with the purpose of creating a community of members with interests across science, philosophy, technology, entertainment, fashion, and politics. ‘This is 42’ doubles as an event company that gathers its community members based on their interests.
Islam and the Future of Tolerance
In 2017, Amila co-directed and produced a Kickstarter-funded documentary titled Islam and the Future of Tolerance[13]. The documentary is based on the book of the same name by radical-turned-reformer Maajid Nawaz and prominent atheist Sam Harris, in which the authors use conversation to reconcile opposing views on Islam in the 21st century. The documentary is to be released in 2018.
Philanthropy and Charity Work
In 2011, Amila founded the first diaspora chapter of Sri Lanka Unites[14], a charitable organisation that provides relief and reconciliation for post-civil war Sri Lanka.
From 2013 to 2018, Amila also served as the creator/founder of The Dreamer’s Foundation[15], a youth outreach charity which provides young people with opportunities to pursue business and creative projects through grants, professional development workshops, and mentorship with industry leaders.
Desh Amila[edit]
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- ↑ Amila. "Desh".
- ↑ Adikari, Charitha. "The Sri Lankan Born Founder of This Is 42 Talks To SBS". SBS.
- ↑ Rees, Amy (September 20, 2016). "Thinking superheroes attract young audiences". newsbytes.
- ↑ Killalea, Debra (November 21, 2013). "Desh Amila dispels the stereotypes on life in Australia as an immigrant". news.com.au.
- ↑ "Stash Everything".
- ↑ Andjelic-Davila, Gordana (11 August 2015). "An evening with Dr Neil deGrasse Tyson".
- ↑ Sykes, Emma (6 June 2014). "Dr Michio Kaku: past, present and future". ABC.
- ↑ Strom, Marcus (3 July 2017). "Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson questions whether Q&A shows Australia at its rational best". Sydney Morning Herald.
- ↑ Clark, Simon (November 22, 2016). "Think Inc. unveil their 2017 line-up of big thinkers and offer fans an annual pass". The AU Review.
- ↑ "Australia's first independent YouTube Festival VIDinc". GC Mag. June 17, 2014.
- ↑ "youtube stars to visit australia for vidinc festival". MTV. July 19, 2013.
- ↑ Vincent, Peter (19 August 2013). "VIDinc: YouTubers log off briefly to delight fans". Sydney Morning Herald.
- ↑ "Islam and the Future of Tolerance: The Movie". Kickstarter.
- ↑ "A youth movement for hope and reconciliation". Sri Lanka Unites.
- ↑ "When dreams are worth living". Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). 20 February 2013.
