Richard Baneham: Who is the Tallaght man who just won his second Oscar?

Richard 'Richie' Baneham tells  Esther McCarthy how visual effects were used to enhance Avatar 2: The Way of Water, and why there really is a feeling of camaraderie across the Irish films nominated in this year's Oscars 

Richard Baneham, the Irish special effects and animation expert who is up for an Oscar for his work on Avatar: The Way Of Water. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/GA/Hollywood Reporter via Getty)

It’s testament to the depth of Ireland’s animation talent that as Richard Baneham moved to the US to pursue a career, up to ten of his classmates were also establishing themselves in the industry.

His Ballyfermot College peers were in great demand for their animation skills across various studios in California - meaning the newly arrived Baneham had an extended family of his former classmates and a growing community in his new home.