Riz Ahmed accepted the Oscar for a 12-minute short film ‘The Long Goodbye’ along with his co-writer and director Aneil Karia. The film shows a South Asian family in suburban London whose preparations for celebration are interrupted by news reports of an all-white militia. The film also features music from Ahmed’s album of the same name.
The win marks the first time someone of Asian descent has triumphed in the live-action short category.
Ahmed was nominated for an Oscar last year for his role as a hearing-impaired drummer in Sound of Metal, losing out to Anthony Hopkins. Ahmed’s nomination last year alongside Steven Yuen in the same category, was the first time two Asian men had been both nominated for best actor.
In his acceptance speech Ahmed, 39, said: “In such divided times, we believe that the role of story is to remind us there is no ‘us’ and ‘them’. There’s just ‘us’. “This is for everyone who feels like they don’t belong. Anyone who feels like they’re stuck in no man’s land. You’re not alone. We’ll meet you there. That’s where the future is. Peace.”
Watch the short film here: