A movie filmed by a Cornish cinematographer has won Best Picture at the Oscars.

Joshua James Richards, who grew up in Penzance before moving to the US 11 years ago to pursue his dream of film-making, saw Nomadland scoop three Oscars at last night's ceremony.

Sadly Mr Richards missed out on the famous gold statue in his nominated category of Best Cinematographer, which went to Erik Messerschmidt for Mank.

However Nomadland won Best Picture, as well as Oscars for Frances McDormand as Best Actress and its Chinese director Chloé Zhao, who made history when she accepted the award for Best Director. She is the first woman of colour to win the award for directing, and only the second woman in history, after Kathryn Bigelow who was honoured for The Hurt Locker in 2010.

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Mr Richards had better luck at the Baftas earlier this month when he won the best cinematography prize for his work on road movie, which follows a woman living in her van as she embarks on a journey across the American West.

Delivering his Baftra speech virtually from the US, he paid tribute to his family by referencing a quote from former Smiths frontman Morrissey featured in the film.

He said: “There is a Morrissey line in Nomadland: ‘Home, is it just a word, or something that you carry in you?’

“I grew up in Penzance, Cornwall, and moved to America 11 years ago with the dream of being a storyteller, and I’ve realised something in that time.

“I want to say to my family back home in England that although I don’t get to see you all as much as I’d like to, that you are my home.”

Cornish cinematographer Joshua James Richards when he won a Bafta for Nomadland

Cornish cinematographer Joshua James Richards when he won a Bafta for Nomadland

Thanking his parents, siblings and young nephews, he added: “I love you all, I’ve carried you with me, and things will get better, they always do.”

Appearing in the winners’ room, he spoke of his disbelief at winning a Bafta after watching the ceremony as a young boy.

“It was a childhood dream just to be making movies and then to come to America was a childhood dream,” he said.

“Going to NYU (New York University) was a childhood dream.

“Winning a Bafta was a little bit off my radar to be honest.”