Aneil Karia, who was born in Ipswich, co-wrote and directed the short film ‘The Long Goodbye’. The film, which explores the effect of a right-wing march on a south Asian family preparing for a celebration, was named winner, alongside Riz Ahmed, in the Best Live Action Short Film category at the 2022 Oscars in Los Angeles last week.

Mr Karia attended Ipswich School between 1994 and 2001 and went on to study journalism at the University of Leeds before pursuing filmmaking. He got his start at the age of 10 at Red Rose Chain, an Ipswich based theatre company
and worked there through his teenage years, being involved in a number of productions.

Our current headmaster, Mr Weaver, said: “It was really exciting to hear the news of a former pupil achieving an Oscar for his powerful and moving work, and it will certainly prove an inspiration for current pupils who are looking for a career in the arts. Well done, Aneil!”

Former Classics teacher Mr Hoskins, who taught here for 37 years until 2007, remembered Mr Karia as “a very clever,
humorous and thoughtful young man.” Mr Karia is the second ever Suffolk winner in the same category; Mat Kirkby took home the statue in 2015 for ‘The Phone Call’.

Other films from Mr Karia include ‘Surge’, ‘Teardrops’, ‘Beat’, ‘Work’ and ‘Ina’. Mr Karia will be starting work on ‘The Gold’, a new heist drama series for BBC 1 and Paramount+.

Paul B, Year 11