FYC: Critics Choice Best Young Performer
Monday, December 7, 2015 at 9:00PM 
Last year I began a tradition to help my fellow BFCA members choose more wisely when it comes to the "Young Performer" category by sharing an eligibility list. My belief is they often choose poorly because this category gets no pre-voting discussion whatsoever and it can be difficult to even think of who is eligible. That said, you can safely expect to see Abraham Attah (Beasts of No Nation) and Jacob Tremblay (Room) nominated because they have leading roles in films that have been discussed. But who else should or could be nominated?
Ballots go out to the BFCA at any moment so here's a cheat sheet to help them vote. The category is UNDER 21... (but it should obviously be adjusted to 17 and under. Remember that year when the winner came from the sexually explicit Blue is the Warmest Color? That's what you get when you have a category with adults in it that is ostensibly a child star prize)
Please FYC your favorites in the comments. Give voters some options to truly consider:
ELIGIBLE "YOUNG PERFORMERS" IN 2015 FILMS
(if we've missed any key players - make sure to shout them out in the comments)
GIRLS
Oona Laurence (13) as "Leila Hope" in Southpaw
Günes Sensoy as "Lale" in Mustang
Raffey Cassidy (13) as "Athena" in Tomorrowland
Isabella Crovetti-Cramp (?) as "Young Joy" in Joy
Willow Shields (15) as "Primrose Everdeen" in Hunger Games - Mockingjay Pt 2
Elle Fanning (17) as "Niki Trumbo" in Trumbo
Hailee Steinfeld (19) as "Emily" in Pitch Perfect 2
Joey King (16) as "Phoebe" in Stonewall
Ashley Aufderheide (?) as "Faith" in Infinitely Polar Bear
Imogene Wolodarsky (?) as "Amelia" in Infinitely Polar Bear
Mackenzie Moss (?) as "Lisa (age 5)" in Steve Jobs
Ripley Sobo (?) as "Lisa (age 9)" in Steve Jobs
Perla Haney-Jardine (18) as "Lisa (age 19) in Steve Jobs
BOYS
Forrest Goodluck (17) as "Hawk" in The Revenant
Levi Miller (13) as "Peter" in Pan
Tony Revolori (19) as "Jib" in Dope
Shameik Moore (20) as "Malcom" in Dope
Russell Posner (?) as "Zach" in The D Train
Alex Henderson (?) as "Young Adonis" in Creed
RJ Cyler (20) as "Earl" in Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Josh Wiggins (17) as "Justin Wincott" in Max
Pierce Gagnon (10) as "Nate" in Tomorrowland
Ty Simpkins (14) as "Gray" in Jurassic World
Nick Robinson (20) as "Zach" in Jurassic World
Luke Ryan (8) as "Douglas Cyr" in Black Mass
Jacob Lofland (19) as "Aris Jones" in Maze Runner: Scorch Trials
Kodi Smit-McPhee (19) as "Jay Cavendish" in Slow West
Abraham Attah (15) as "Agu" in Beasts of No Nation
Jacob Tremblay (9) as "Jack" in Room
Tom Holland (19) as "Young Thomas Nickerson" in In the Heart of the Sea
Milo Parker (?) as "" in Mr Holmes
WHICH YOUNG THESPIANS WOULD MAKE YOUR BALLOT?
I hope you'll FYC your favorites in the comments and give the Broadcast Film Critic voters some options to truly consider rather than making this the annual 'which young actor is most famous' list.
Reader Comments (66)
Watched In the Heart of the Sea over the weekend, Tom Holland (19) came to mind, not because he's mesmerizing or particularly good in the movie, just because it's fresh in my mind.
Another film I watched few months back called Little Boy, also not a very good movie, boring at certain parts, but the protagonist is a boy played by Jakob Salvati. He was a delight.
If this category is 21 and under then....SAOIRSE RONAN!
What about Levi Miller in Pan? There was a lot wrong with that movie but he certainly wasn't the problem!
Jonn -- oooh, good catch.
RJ Cyler (20) as "Earl" in Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
The kids in COP CAR were pretty good as well... James Freedson-Jackson and Hays Wellford.
Also does it matter WHEN a performer turns 21? I think Maika Monroe of IT FOLLOWS was 21 when the movie was released earlier this year.
Jacob Tremblay and Abraham Attah are the obvious choices from this list, but I would love to see Raffey Cassidy get nominated for 'Tomorrowland'. Not a great movie, but her Athena was definitely the most memorable part.
Cory Nichols in The Mend!
Just thought of another one! She's 21 still. Julia Garner in GRANDMA.
And cutie Abby Ryder Fortson in ANT-MAN who played Rudd's daughter. She has had quite a year in TV as well (Togetherness, Transparent, etc.). Well, I feel lazy.
Yeah Julia Garner was good, though I wouldn't say she was exceptional per se. Lily Tomlim blew her off the screen throughout the whole film.
I can vouch for the two girls from Infinitely Polar Bear. Both were memorable in large roles. And FYC Raffey Cassidy for Tomorrowland. I think she deserves to win the young actress prize hands down. And what about the other actress from Tomorrowland? The lead? I'd nominate her too.
And of course Jacob Tremblay should win for Room.
Wait, is it just one category for both genders?? I forgot. So, Saorsie I guess, along with Abraham, Jacob, and Raffey really should be there. And the kid from Dope (which I didn't see, but just based on the trailer alone).
Karidja Touré in Girlhood
Assa Sylla in Girlhood
Maria Alexandra Lungu in The Wonders
Asa Butterfield in X+Y
Milo Parker in Mr. Holmes
I think the actresses from Girlhood were particularly impressive, although Touré might be too old for this award since she's 21.
I meant to say Karidja Touré is almost 22. Her birthday is in february, I believe.
Good call on the 'Girlhood' actresses. Assa Sylla would be a worthy nominee.
Yes for Raffey and Abraham!
@ca - Milo Parker from Mr. Holmes is definitely a great choice for an award like this.
I'd also like to mention Emmanuel Nii Adom Quaye who played Strika in Beats of No Nation. It's a much smaller role than Abraham Attah's, but his character is crucial to the movie and he gives one hell of a performance.
JoJo Kushner, who plays Anne Hathaway's daughter in The Intern, was also very good. She memorably takes a liking to Robert De Niro's character almost immediately. Sooner than Hathaway's anyway.
The most extreme of long shots is Jacir Eid al-Hwietat in Theeb, the Jordanian entry for best foreign language film is currently in release. I saw the film in theaters and he has to carry the film in order for it to work a la Beasts of No Nation...
That's easy. Jacob Tremblay for Room and Mackenzie Moss for Steve Jobs.
Do the twin girls who play Rindy in 'Carol' count? I think that their names are KK & Sadie Heim. They were 5 when they shot the film, so they would be 6 or 7 years old now.
I haven't seen many of these, but I'm another who also liked Raffey Cassidy in Tomorrowland. I also liked Pierce Gagnon in the same film. I've seen him in Looper, Extant, Tomorrowland. He has such energy and intelligence and such an original presence.
Some FYC's that's yet to be mentioned: Ed Oxenbould in "The Visit" and Gunes Sensoy in "Mustang" (She played the youngest girl). Marvelous performances both and should be considered.
@AdamA Jacir Eid al-Hwietat is awesome in 'Theeb'. I keep forgetting it is eligible.
I know he was onscreen for all of four minutes, but I really liked Alex Henderson, who played young Adonis in Creed. Something about him leapt off the screen, convincing immediately that this was a kid who had been forced to grow up way too fast. Then again, I just love Creed's opening scene.
Is the cast of Mustang eligible? If so, they should be considered, particularly Gunes Sensoy as Lale...
Also, if you had to pick a Lisa from Steve Jobs, which one would you go with. They're all good, but my favorite is Ripley Sobo (the middle Lisa), for her command of Sorkin-ese and nailing the single most heartbreaking beat in the movie.
Julian Walker as Randy in Blackbird. Hard to believe its his acting debut; he carries the weight of the film's heavy narrative (mom's emotional breakdown, estranged father, missing sister, coming out and falling in love) on his shoulders with ease, sincerity and charm. Definitely one to watch.
Totally unnecessary category.
Rooting for Ripley Sobo from Steve Jobs.
Five years ago I discovered and cast her in my friend's short film "Jenny", still remember the casting process like it was yesterday, there were many cute and more experienced kids but Ripley was so nature and unaffected, we all fell for her and her adorable family instantly. It was her very first imdb credit and she has come a long way since then. I'm so proud of her and thrilled that more and more people are starting to see what I saw five years ago.
I knew RJ Cyler was an amazing talent the first day I met him at acting camp in LA. A truly great person inside and out and you see that in his character in Me Earl and the Dying Girl. A natural talent and true pleasure to watch on screen!
RJ CYLER as Earl in Me, Earl & The Dying Girl!!
RJ Cyler is such an AMAZING and talented actor. He has been blessed with a gift and is certainly pleasing God with utilizing his gift to the up-most. He has such personality and character that he "owns" any role that comes his way. Watch out for so much more to come.
Vote for RJ Cyler...Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl
Echo the RJ Cyler calls. I also think the older kid in Infinitely Polar Bear was outstanding.
RJ Cyler, most definitely. EARL FTW.
I'd also add Emjay Anthony for Krampus!
Cate Blanchett's daughter in "Carol" was adorable. "Carol" deserves nominations for everything.
I know people hate Tomorrowland, or seemingly most everyone other than myself do, but Cassidy is incredible in it.
YES Gunes Sensoy in Mustang! Best in show in a very memorable ensemble. She showed a lot of maturity.
I like Tomorrowland, or at least, I thought its critical drubbing was unfair. But Abraham Attah would be my clear choice here. It was amazing to see him go from an innocent young boy to a stoic killing machine. I'm not sure how he gave such a naturalistic performance in such a horrific film without suffering PTSD. (Yes, Tomlin blew Julia Garner off the screen in Grandma, but Attah blows Idris Elba off the screen in Beasts - he's that good.)
I'm somewhat irritated that so much more ink has been spilled on Jacob Tremblay's performance in Room - Tremblay is fine, he's awfully cute, but to my eyes, he spends a lot of time mugging for the camera (his reactions are just a little too big for my liking most of the time). He does get to be heroic in a tear-jerker, though, unlike Attah, whose character does unspeakable things in a very hard-to-watch film.
Sterling Jerins. All her work is solid and believable. But her performance as Owen Wilson's headstrong oldest daughter in 'No Escape' had some intense and riveting scenes. Filmed in Thailand 2 years ago, Sterling was 9 years at the time. Claire Geare, who played the younger sister, also a good actress, was also 9.. the exact same age as Sterling, just played a younger child.
And of course, RJ Cyler in Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl'
how about jared breeze in "the boy"? he just rocked
RJ CYLER ALL THE WAY- ME, EARL AND THE DYING GIRL! HANDS DOWN!
RJ Cyler (20) as "Earl" in Me and Earl and the Dying Girl!!!!!!
RJ Cyler!!
RJ Cyler is a young inspiring actor in LA that played Earl in the movie 'Me and Earl and the Dying Girl'. My vote goes to him as I had the opportunity to see him when I took my daughter to LA last summer for a CGTV acting course. I also watched his new movie on tv and thought that it was very intellectual. I see RJ going places. Good luck to him in his future endeavors.
For the Boys
Abraham Attah - Beasts Of No Nation
Jacob Tremblay - Room
RJ Cyler - Me & Earl & The Dying Girl
Tom Holland - In The Heart Of The Sea
Tye Sheridan - Stanford Prison Experiment
Also, Levi Miller for Pan would not be a bad choice.
RJ Cyler (20) as "Earl" in Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
RJ Cyler (20) as "Earl" in Me, Earl and the Dying Girl
RJ Cyler as Earl in: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl.
Umm...
Garrett Wareing in a little known film called Boychoir with Dustin Hoffman, was phenomenal.