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Belfast Live
Entertainment
Jane Corscadden

Jude Hill wins Best Young Actor Award at Critics Choice Awards for role in 'Belfast' film

Jude Hill has scooped the Best Young Actor award at the Critics' Choice Awards for his role as Buddy in Kenneth Branagh's 'Belfast.'

The black and white film documenting life growing up in a working-class family at the beginning of The Troubles has been lauded by critics since its release.

While Sir Kenneth was in London's Royal Albert Hall picking up a BAFTA for Outstanding British Film on Sunday evening, the movie's youngest star was in LA stealing the show at the Critics' Choice Awards.

Read more: Belfast wins Outstanding British Film award at this year's BAFTAs

The 11-year-old thanked his castmates and parents for "always being there and... letting me go down this path in the first place" at the 27th annual ceremony.

The young actor appeared shocked when he took to the stage to accept his award, saying: "I'm gonna be completely honest, I have nothing prepared.

"I couldn't have done it without the rest of the cast, Jamie, Caitriona, Ciaran, Ken, Judi Dench.

Jude Hill (L) and Jamie Dornan attend the 27th Annual Critics Choice Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 13, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association)

"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 also singled out director Kenneth Branagh for specific thanks, saying: "I love you so much thank you for choosing me."

Jude has been praised for his role as Buddy from critics across the world, as well as scooping the Best Newcomer Award at the fifth annual HCA Film Awards.

While mingling on the red carpet this week, the youngster has even had the chance to meet his heroes, telling reporters he was lost for words after chatting to Spider-Man: No Way Home star Andrew Garfield.

Speaking to Belfast Live last year, Jude's mum, Shauneen, said she was "so proud" of him for being picked for the role of Buddy out of 300 hopefuls.

She added: "We didn't know what to expect because it was his first movie but I knew he wouldn't be nervous because he's really not the type.

"He's so professional and has been from a young age. And Ken had said how professional he was. He took to the role from the first day. He loved the buzz, loved the work, and he knows exactly how to respond

"He's also a real reader, so he would've been constantly going over the script and making sure his many lines were learnt off. He made it look effortless."

Read more: Jude Hill 'honoured and grateful' to be nominated for Best Actor award

Read more: The streets and places that made up Kenneth Branagh's early life in Belfast

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