DIRECTOR BIOGRAPHY​ - Aneil Karia

Aneil Karia is an award-winning British director whose work often takes a semi-improvisational approach and leans into realism. He began his career directing several award-winning short films, including BEAT, starring Ben Whishaw which was screened in 50 cinemas worldwide. His Film4 financed film WORK was nominated for a BAFTA and a BIFA for Best Short. In 2019, Aneil directed the final 3 episodes of TOP BOY 3 for Netflix. In the same year he directed TROUBLE for Kano. The short film was praised for its stirring depiction of street violence and won Best Special Video Project at the 2019 UKVMAs. Aneil’s debut feature film, SURGE, premiered at Sundance Festival 2020, where the lead Ben Whishaw won the World Cinema Best Actor Jury Prize. The film was produced by Rooks Nest for BBC Films and BFI and released in cinemas in May 2021. Most recently, Aneil directed the Oscar-nominated short THE LONG GOODBYE for Riz Ahmed. The film was discussed in the House of Commons as ‘required viewing’ shortly after its release and went onto win Best Short at the British Independent Film Awards, Best Short at the Critics Circle Awards and the Gold Cannes Lion for direction, as well as the Grand Prix at both Hollyshorts and Odense International Film Festival.