WHEATLEY man Niv Adiri will soon be returning home with one of Hollywood’s most coveted statuettes.

Oxford Mail:

  • Niv Adiri with wife Abbie and sons Eden, five, and Leo, three.

Mr Adiri, 39, is part of the team which won in the Sound Mixing category at Sunday night’s Oscars, which took place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

He picked up the award for his work as a sound mixer for the company Sound24, based at Pinewood Studios, Buckinghamshire, which worked on the blockbuster 3D film Gravity.

The father-of-two flew out to Hollywood with wife Abbie for the A-list ceremony and was presented with his award by actors Chris Hemsworth and Charlize Theron.

Oxford Mail:

  • Sandra Bullock in Gravity

Mr Adiri, alongside fellow Sound24 members Skip Lievsay, Christopher Benstead and Chris Munro, also picked up a Bafta for their work on the film, which stars Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, two weeks ago.

Oxford Mail:

  • Niv and colleagues reciving their Baftas last month

Speaking after his Bafta win and before he headed out to LA, Mr Adiri told the Oxford Mail: “The Oscars are the big one. I think I will be quite nervous before the ceremony.

“It has been a whirlwind few weeks.”

And it is hoped his success will inspire others in the Oxfordshire film industry.

Director of Film Oxford, which is based in Catherine Street, Geron Swann, said: “This is brilliant news for Niv Adiri, Gravity and the buoyant British film industry.

“Another example of great Oxford talent being recognised globally, and an inspiration to our new local film-makers coming through.”

Jim Reilly, vice-chairman of Wheatley Parish Council, congratulated Mr Adiri.

He said: “We would want to congratulate him.

“I think this would definitely inspire some of the youngsters in the village and bring Wheatley to the attention of Oxfordshire people.”