Aftersun actor Paul Mescal heaped praise on his young Scots co-star as she scooped an award at the Newport Beach Film Festival on Thursday.
Frankie Corio, 12, was awarded Variety’s ’10 Brits to Watch’ for her performance in the Oscar-nominated and critically acclaimed film.
Mescal told a star-studded audience the West Lothian youngster will “take over the world” as he stood up to collect his own gong for Artist of Distinction.
He said: “This is a crazy honour, it feels like yesterday I graduated from drama school. It feels like a short time and so much water has passed under the bridge. This lady here [Frankie Corio] is going to take over the world."
Frankie, from Livingston, is no stranger to praise from high places.
The youngster was already hailed a “rising star” by Hollywood A-lister Cate Blanchett after she picked up Best Young British/Irish actor at the Critics Circle Awards in London earlier this month. Blanchett was among the first to congratulate her, alongside Florence Pugh and Michelle Yeoh.
Aftersun is a 2022 drama written and directed by Charlotte Wells, set in the early 2000s, about an 11-year-old Scottish girl called Sophie, played by Frankie.
The plot follows her as she is on holiday with her dad, Callum, played by Paul Mescal, at a Turkish resort on the eve of his 31st birthday.
The film was occasionally shot through a mini video camera adding to the period texture, and is an ode to nostalgia with hints of something far darker.
The film received universal acclaim from critics, who praised Wells' direction and screenplay, and the performances of the stars. The movie was also named one of the best films of 2022 by the National Board of Review.
Mescal, who has been nominated for an Oscar for his role in the film, could be seen cheering for his young co-star at the glitzy event in California last night.
Frankie's mum Leona Corio was also bursting with pride as she attended the event with her daughter, after being unable to attend the previous event where she was honoured.
Taking to Twitter after the Crittics Circle Awards she said: "Yessss!!! My baby won! Wish I was there with her! She was up against some great young performers!"
Frankie will next be on our screens in “The Bagman” alongside Sam Claflin.
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