A former Hitchin Boys’ School pupil is swapping Bancroft for the Baftas and Orchard Road for the Oscars.

London Film Academy graduate Max Williams is director of photography for Oscar and Bafta-nominated film The Bigger Picture – shortlisted for both world-renowned awards.

Filmmaker Max, who is in Los Angeles at an Oscar nominees luncheon this week, will be jetting back across the Atlantic to see if his film wins best British Short Animation at the Baftas on Sunday.

He then flies back to LA to see if his animation grabs an Oscar in the Best Short Film/Animation category at the star-studded awards ceremony in Tinsletown on Sunday, February 22.

Delighted Max told the Comet: “I can’t believe it, I still have to pinch myself. I’m absolutely terrified.

“It’s so weird to think I could be at the Oscars in my Burton suit sat next to someone like Clint Eastwood!

“To top it all the film’s director Daisy Jacobs, co-animator Chris Wilder, and myself have actually been invited to Sir Elton John’s post-Oscars’ party which will be so surreal.

“It’s funny to think I could be talking all things Hitchin over canapes with Brad Pitt and Sir Elton – in fact I’ll definitely be spreading the word about Hitchin at the Oscars!

“We keep getting snippets from the Academy saying things like if you’re a guest at the Oscars you have to arrive by stretch limousine – which if you knew us is so far away from our reality.

“It’s nice to have this recognition for all the team’s hard work – but I’ll always be true to my roots. I went to Hitchin Boys’ School and I’m a Hitchin lad who used to drink in places like The Red Hart, The Kings Arms, and The Victoria.

“I’m looking forward to having a pint in the Vic again soon – hopefully with a certain golden statue behind the bar!”

Max’s mum, much-loved Songs of Praise presenter Pam Rhodes added: “I’m so proud of Max.”