Arya Surowidjojo
Arya Surowidjojo is a documentary filmmaker and the Executive Producer of OPB's history documentary series "Oregon Experience.” His body of work focuses on histories, Indigeneity, immigrant experiences and foodways—crafting stories through an inclusive and experiential lens.
Prior to his current role, Arya was the co-creator and showrunner of "Superabundant,” OPB’s award-winning video series exploring food systems of the Pacific Northwest.
He honed his craft at IFA Media in Singapore, where he developed and produced TV documentaries for international networks such as the History Channel, the National Geographic Channel and ARTE France.
Arya got his start freelancing for Vanity Fair. He co-produced a video for the magazine’s 2008 essay on waterboarding, “Believe Me, It's Torture.” The story is credited as the catalyst for former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder’s investigation of the interrogation practice.
Arya holds a master of fine arts degree from American University's School of Communication in Washington, D.C.
Latest Stories
New archaeology at abandoned Oregon town reveals hidden lives of Black logging families
Found artifacts from the segregated logging town of Maxville include personal domestic objects such as vinyl records fragments and a diaper pin.
Agora in Portland: How the Pioneer Courthouse Square as we know it has evolved over 150 years
The downtown square, first opened to public in the ‘80s, occupies a city block that has served as a gathering place for Portlanders in one form or another since the mid-19th century.
Remembering the first female mayor of Troutdale, Oregon
110 years ago, voters elected part-Indigenous community activist Clara Latourell Larsson as Oregon’s second female mayor — just one year after women achieved the right to vote statewide.
Oregon is at the forefront of psilocybin’s future, but the host fungi’s past is still mysterious
While the therapeutic use of psilocybin for mental health issues is increasing in Oregon and other states, scientists are still searching for psilocybe mushrooms’ origin story.
How valuable, and volatile, crabbing can be along the Oregon Coast
The 2022 Dungeness crab season was the most lucrative in Oregon history. Unusually for recent years, it started on time, yields were high and prices soared, leading to a boon for commercial crabbers and the coastal communities that depend on them.
North America’s only truffle dog championship comes roaring back
After a one-year pandemic hiatus, the Joriad North American Truffle Dog Championship returns to Eugene, Oregon.
Indigenous inmates, volunteers navigate a year without ceremonies, celebrations
Coronavirus restrictions have created a cultural void for Indigenous people in Oregon prisons once filled by large summer celebrations and regular spiritual practice.
Oregon’s wildfires from space and on the ground
On Sept. 10, 2020, OPB video teams were deployed across the length of Oregon to document the Santiam (also known as the Beachie Creek Fire), Almeda and Two Four Two wildfires. They encountered over 300 miles of near-unbroken hazardous smoke, pockets of total destruction and the human impact of an unprecedented fire crisis.
A vigil for a Black violinist who died too young
Nearly a hundred string musicians convened in North Portland to issue a musical call for justice for a violinist who died before his time.
Portland area 3D print makers form PPE ‘emergency response’
Health care workers fighting the coronavirus pandemic across the Portland metro region are receiving free 3D-printed face masks and shields—made and distributed by an army of maker volunteers.