CLOSE friends of a Powys filmmaker have expressed their pride after last night's win at the Oscars.
Lol Crawley picked up an award for the best cinematographer at the 97th awards show in Los Angeles on Sunday evening (March 2) for his contribution in period film The Brutalist.
He also won the BAFTA for best cinematography at the Royal Albert Hall in London last week.
He described his first Oscar nomination and win as extraordinary, thanking 'all his friends from Wales' on stage and immediately sharing his achievement with close friends including Matthew Dodd.
He said: "We are all so proud of what Lol has been able to achieve. He is a role model to all and shows that believing in your dreams can come true. This time, Wrexham has given back to Hollywood."
Lol Crawley wins Best Cinematography for The Brutalist at the #Oscars
— Letterboxd (@letterboxd) March 3, 2025
This is his first nomination and first win. pic.twitter.com/ag2q5yKhiR
Friend Nadira Tudor said: "Having been to college with Lol and living with while we all grew up and studied together with a passion to tell stories - it’s incredible to see how he has gone from a sweet young talented young man to an incredible ground-breaking confident cinematographer.
2AND he is still managed to stay grounded and to me is the same ‘Lol’ with bells on. Couldn’t be prouder."
Wrexham Mayor Cllr Beryl Blackmore was also delighted with the win, and sent a personal video message of congratulations following last night's ceremony.
She said: "It was such a privilege to be asked to send a video of best wishes to Lol Crawley who was nominated for an Oscar for his cinemaphotography in the Film The Brutalist. The wonderful news is he won for Wrexham this is amazing as he was a student at Cartrefle."
Lol Crawley grew up in Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain and attended Ysgol Llafyllin. He trained at Oswestry College before receiving his BTEC National Diploma in Audio Visual Studies at The North East Wales Institute in Wrexham.
Speaking live to BBC Breakfast from Beverley Hills on Monday, Crawley said hearing his name being read out on stage was "extraordinary and "overwhelming after such a long journey".
Friend Cai Ross said: "I'm absolutely thrilled for my old pal and his thoroughly deserved win, and who knows, now I might get back that tenner I lent him in 1994."
Mark Doleman said: "Huge congratulations on your amazing achievement I'm truly made up for you, and what an amazing speech. Well done old chap! Hope you had a blast!!"
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