Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Entertainment
Katie Gallagher

Belfast actor Jude Hill steals Hollywood hearts at Critic Choice Awards with winning speech

School goer Jude Hill stole hearts at the star studded Critic Choice Awards on Sunday night, as Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast continued to dominate in wins.

The 11-year-old star from Northern Ireland was smiling from ear to ear as he picked up the award for Best Young Actor for his role as Buddy in Branagh’s semi-autobiographical family drama Belfast.

Appearing in shock on stage in LA while accepting the award, the youngster said: "I'm gonna be completely honest, I have nothing prepared.

(Getty Images)

Pointing down his co-star Jamie Dornan, who played his father in the film, in the crowd, he went on: "I couldn't have done it without the rest of the cast, Jamie [Dornan], Caitriona [Balfe], Ciarán [Hinds], Ken [Branagh], Judi Dench.

"Thanks to my mum and dad for always being there and just letting me go down this path in the first place."

The Gilford-born actor added: "Thanks to my little sister and my little brother Jonah, they've actually been getting into acting as well - copycats," he laughed.

As the biggest stars of Hollywood watched on in awe, he also singled out writer and director Branagh, adding: "I love you so much thank you for choosing me."

The acclaimed film won a total of three awards at Sunday's ceremony as Branagh won the Best Original Screenplay Critics Choice Award, while the film also won the award for Best Acting Ensemble at the event.

The ceremony is often seen as a predictor of success at the Oscars.

Earlier that evening, the film, which is based on the childhood of Branagh during the troubles, picked up the Outstanding British Film award at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Film Awards elsewhere in London on Sunday night.

With the Baftas and the Critics’ Choice Awards on the same date, the biggest stars had to raise their game - and perfect their quick change routine.

The main ceremony took place in LA but there was a red carpet event in London for nominees who couldn’t be in two cities at the same time.

Belfast star Caitiona Balfe was among the stars to pose at both events, stunning in a plunging black velvet by Armani Privé at the BAFTAs before changing into a matte nude column by Christian Dior for the Critics’ Choice event.

Lady Gaga, nominated for House of Gucci, also pulled off an impressive costume change for the two ceremonies - wowing the Baftas audience with a velvet gown and then changing into a gold and black Gucci gown for the Critics’ Choice crowd.

It has been a busy season for the Belfast film stars, who will go on to the Oscars later this month, where Belfast has received Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay nominations.

Singer-songwriter Morrison is nominated for Best Song for Belfast's Down to Joy and Ciarán Hinds has been nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the film.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.