Eleven-year-old Northern Irish actor Jude Hill took home the prize for Best Young Actor at this year's Critics Choice awards for his role in Belfast.

"I'm gonna be completely honest, I have nothing prepared,” the shocked young protagonist said, accepting the statue. He went on to thank his family and colleagues from set.

"I couldn't have done it without the rest of the cast, Jamie Dornan, Caitríona 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."

Congratulations to Jude Hill - winner of the #criticschoice Award for Best Young Actor/Actress. @BelfastMovie #CriticsChoiceAwards pic.twitter.com/Os1vk7Rz02

— Critics Choice (@CriticsChoice) March 13, 2022

Hill also gave a special thanks to writer/director Kenneth Branagh, whose childhood in Northern Ireland provides the basis for the film: "I love you so much - thank you for choosing me."

Belfast won several awards at Sunday's Los Angeles ceremony including Best Original Screenplay for Branagh and Best Acting Ensemble. It also recently won for Outstanding British Film at the BAFTAs.

The Troubles-era family drama has plenty of momentum heading into the Academy Awards, where it is nominated in seven categories including Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Picture. Hinds is in the running for Best Supporting Actor, though he lost out at last weekend's BAFTA ceremony to CODA star Troy Kotsur.

Singer/songwriter Van Morrison has also been nominated for his musical contribution to the film with the song ‘Down to Joy’.