Young star of Belfast movie Jude Hill has been nominated for an IFTA

Jude is destined for Hollywood 🤩

Author: Emma DicksonPublished 25th Feb 2022
Last updated 25th Feb 2022

No one could have predicted just how successful Sir Kenneth Branagh’s semi-autobiographical film Belfast would become, especially 11-year-old Jude Hill from Gilford.

He’s taken every red carpet and press interview in his stride – and now he’s got another glittering event to add to his dairy this year.

Jude has received a nomination for Best Actor at this year's Irish Film & TV Awards 👏

In fact, the feature film has received 10 nominations in total –

  • Best Film
  • Best Director (Kenneth Branagh)
  • Best Script (Kenneth Branagh)
  • Best Actor (Jude Hill)
  • Best Supporting Actor (Ciarán Hinds)
  • Best Supporting Actor (Jamie Dornan)
  • Best Supporting Actress (Caitríona Balfe)
  • Best Editing (Úna Ní Dhonghaíle)
  • Best Make-Up & Hair (Sian Wilson)
  • Best Original Music (Van Morrison)

Belfast has already received seven Oscar and six Bafta nominations, so it’s going to be a busy awards season for the cast and crew.

Being so young Jude explained how he studied hard for the role and learned a lot about Northern Ireland's turbulent past. "I had to self-educate myself," he explains. "I watched a few YouTube videos, documentaries, TV shows and my mum and dad talked to me about it all too."

The IFTAs plan on holding a virtual awards ceremony in March, followed by a physical event the following month in Dublin.

Australian actress Rebel Wilson will host the BAFTAs ceremony, celebrating its 75th anniversary, on Sunday 13th March, at London's Royal Albert Hall.

Then the Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars takes place on Sunday 27 March.

Look back at some behind the scenes snaps from filming Belfast last summer 👇











Read more:

Ashley Banjo opens up about life on the road with Diversity ahead of 2022 tour

Janet Devlin shares her battle with alcohol addiction in new BBC documentary

You can now get multiplayer Wordle and go head-to-head with friends!

How to listen to Downtown Radio:

Tune into Northern Ireland's Home of Great Music, Downtown Radio on FM, AM, DAB Digital Radio, online, on our Rayo app and by asking your smart speaker to 'Play Downtown Radio'. Gary & Glen kick things off every weekday morning and Neal McClelland brings you home on Downtown Drive.