Nearly 200 Child/Teen Stars Receive YAA Nominations

Child and teen stars have been a mainstay in the entertainment
industry since the earliest days of Hollywood, often edging out Greta Garbo and Clark Gable as the top box-office draws. Today these child and teen stars are diverse, spread out into various entertainment venues.

Among these are feature films, short films, television, cable shows and now even the Internet. Their importance is demonstrated by their sheer numbers and the fact they are included in the majority of films and TV shows, even their voices in most of the animated
productions.

And while the work of child and teen stars is most often overlooked by the major award shows, it hasn’t slipped by The Young Artist Awards organization. Now, soon to be celebrating its 35th annual award show, the non-profit group has no other purpose than to
honor these young people ages 5 through 21 in the entertainment industry.

This year nearly 200 of their number are being recognized by the organization, 185 to be exact, with nominations centered on best performances in feature films, short films, TV movies, comedy and drama TV shows, Voice-Overs, DVD films, the Web and live
theatre.

The show this year will be held Sunday, May 4 in the Empire Ballroom at the Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City. Expected to attend are not only the nominees and their guests but also directors, producers, agents and others in the entertainment industry.

The late Maureen Dragone, a long-time member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and sponsor of the Golden Globes, founded the non-profit organization, which was organized to honor the excellence of youth performers. For more information
go to the official web site youngartistawards.org

The Award Envelopes will be opened on Sunday, May 4, 2014 in the Empire Ballroom of the Sportsmen’s Lodge Hotel, Studio City, California.

Best Performance in a Feature Film

Best Performance in a Feature Film – Leading Young Actor

Skylan Brooks – The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete – Lionsgate
Chandler Canterbury – Standing Up – Aldamisa Entertainment
Miles Elliot – Camp – Roebuck Media
Liam James – The Way Way Back – Sycamore Pictures
Maxim Knight – Medeas – Keyhole Productions

Best Performance in a Feature Film – Leading Young Actress

Annalise Basso – Standing Up – Aldamisa Entertainment
Megan Charpentier – Mama – Universal Pictures
Abigail Hargrove – World War Z – Paramount Pictures
Sophie Nélisse – The Book Thief – 20th Century Fox
Loreto Peralta – Instructions Not Included – Pantelion Films

Best Performance in a Feature Film – Supporting Young Actor

River Alexander – The Way Way Back – Sycamore Pictures
Cole Coker – Suddenly – Vivendi Entertainment
Callan McAuliffe – The Great Gatsby – Warner Brothers
Justin Tinucci – Standing Up – Aldamisa Entertainment
Jake Vaughn – Medeas – Keyhole Productions

Best Performance in a Feature Film – Supporting Young Actress

Giselle Eisenberg – The Wolf of Wall Street – Paramount Pictures
Gianna Gomez – Camp – Roebuck Media
Mimi Kirkland – Safe Haven – Relativity Media
Laura Krystine – Instructions Not Included – Pantelion Films
Morgan McGarry – Mama – Universal Pictures
Katelyn Mager – Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters – 20th Century Fox
Isabelle Nelisse – Mama – Universal Pictures
Gracie Prewitt – Her – Warner Brothers
Fátima Ptacek – Tio Papi – JMC Independent

Best Performance in a Short Film

Best Performance in a Short Film – Young Actor 16-21

Connor Beardmore – Insecurbia – UBC/Kori/Depauw
Austin MacDonald – Portrait of Ryan – Badon Hill Productions
Caleb Thomas – Mrs. Sweeney – Cagle/Kinmont Productions
David Topp – The Box – Topp Scot Productions
Austin James Wolff – Sugar – J. Johnson Productions

Best Performance in a Short Film – Young Actor 13-15

Christopher Bones – The Curse of The Un-Kissable Kid – MarrMark Productions
Peter Bundic – Lord of The Guys – SFU
Jake Davidson – Mrs. Sweeney – Cagle/Kinmont Productions
Dawson Dunbar – Favorite Things – Agriotherium Films
Myles Erlick – Sing Along – Oxman Productions
Max Humphreys – Spin the Barrel – Independent
Noah Johnson – The Ladder – SWYFT Productions
William Leon – The Curse of The Un-Kissable Kid – MarrMark Productions
Mark Ramsay – Way Charn! The Legend of Scrin Pipjaw – Ryerson Films
Chad Roberts – Plain White Tee – Independent

Best Performance in a Short Film – Young Actress 13-21

Megan Brown – Our Town – Arrowhead Productions
Taylor-Grace Davis – The Box – Topp Scot Productions
Adrienne Hicks – The Mary Contest – Independent
Jennifer Jolliff – On Becoming a Man – Brand New Day Productions
Laci Kay – The Lesson – Ooh La La Productions
Shannon Kummer – Mrs. Sweeney – Cagle/Kinmont Productions
Chanel Marriott – Penny Arcade – USC-Cinamatic Arts
Ruka Felicity Nagashima – Box of Hearts – Independent
Kalia Prescott – Sugar – J. Johnson Productions
Liv Southard – The Curse of the Un-Kissable Kid – MarrMark Productions
Sofie Uretsky – Naughty or Nice – York University

Best Performance in a Short Film – Young Actor 11-12

Brady Bryson – The Specifics – Immaginaire Films
Joshua Costea – Lord of the Guys – SFU
Brice Evan Fisher – Mothership – Independent
Reese Gonzales – White Shoe – Fotocomics Productions
Joseph Haag – The Curse of The Un-Kissable Kid – MarrMark Productions

Best Performance in a Short Film – Young Actress 11-12

Adanna Avon – The Mary Contest – Independent
Angelique Marion Berry – Anna’s Wish – Mitchell Verigin Productions/G5 Films
Ava Cantrell – Above the 101 – Punching Bees Productions
Kylie Cast – Last Round – Percolating Pictures
Kaitlin Cheung – 13 Santas – T. Hansen Productions
Alyssa Brianne Miller – Mrs. Sweeney – Cagle-Kinmont Productions

Best Performance in a Short Film – Young Actor 10 and Under

Alexander Davis – Senior Drivers – Hayes Harris Productions
Richard Davis – To Look Away – Ryerson Short Feature
Zander Faden – Dirty Laundry – AFI
Zachary Haven – Mrs. Sweeney – Cagle/Kinmont Productions
Jakob Wedel – 1982 – Atom Films
Jonah Wineberg – Circles – Circle Productions

Best Performance in a Short Film – Young Actress 10 and Under

Allison Augustin – Clean Teeth Wednesdays – Boomerang Films
Giovanna Cappetta – Charity Case – Jnine Media
Maia Costea – Heny and Gloria – Burnaby
Emily Delahunty – Bike Tales – Chaconia Pictures
Erika Forest – Bike Tales – Chaconia Pictures
Peyton Kennedy – To Look Away – Ryerson Films
Madeline Lupi – American Autumn – Les Films Sur Mer

Best Performance in a TV Movie, Miniseries, Special or Pilot

Best Performance in a TV Movie, Miniseries, Special or Pilot – Young Actor

Kyle Harrison Breitkopf – Catch a Christmas Star – Hallmark Channel
Griffin Cleveland – Santa Switch – Hallmark Channel
Christian Distefano – Finding Christmas – Hallmark Channel
Sean Michael Kyer – Hats Off to Christmas – Hallmark Channel

Best Performance in a TV Movie, Miniseries, Special or Pilot – Young Actress

Ella Ballentine – Clara’s Deadly Secret – Lifetime
Bianca D’Ambrosio – Marked – SyFy
Julia Lalonde – Catch a Christmas Star – Hallmark Channel
Madison McAleer – House of Versace – Lifetime
Savannah McReynolds – The Wrong Woman – Lifetime
Annie Thurman – Santa Switch – Hallmark Channel

Best Performance in a TV Series

Best Performance in a TV Series – Leading Young Actor

Keean Johnson – Spooksville – The Hub Network
Nathan McLeod – Life with Boys – Nickelodeon
Chandler Riggs – The Walking Dead – AMC

Best Performance in a TV Series – Leading Young Actress

Layla Crawford – The First Family – Entertainment Studios
Katie Douglas – Spooksville – The Hub Network
Chloe Lang – LazyTown – Nick Jr.
Olivia Scriven – Degrassi: The Next Generation – CTV

Best Performance in a TV Series – Supporting Young Actor

Tyree Brown – Parenthood – NBC
Max Burkholder – Parenthood – NBC
Maxim Knight – Falling Skies – TNT
Xolo Mariduena – Parenthood – NBC
McCarrie McCausland – Army Wives – Lifetime
Nick Purcha – Spooksville – The Hub Network
Albert Tsai – Trophy Wife – ABC

Best Performance in a TV Series – Supporting Young Actress

Morgan Taylor Campbell – Spooksville – The Hub Network
Isabella Cramp – The Neighbors – ABC
Alisha Newton – Heartland – CBC
Savannah Paige Rae – Parenthood – NBC

Best Performance in a TV Series – Guest Starring Young Actor 17-21

Tajh Bellow – The First Family – Entertainment One
Evan Crooks – Grey’s Anatomy – ABC
Austin Fryberger – Sam & Cat – Nickelodeon
Dominik Michon-Dagenais – 30 Vies – Radio-Canada (TV)

Best Performance in a TV Series – Guest Starring Young Actress 17-21

Laine MacNeil – R. L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour – The Hub Network
Tiera Skovbye – Spooksville – The Hub Network
Siobhan Williams – Motive – ABC

Best Performance in a TV Series – Guest Starring Young Actor 14-16

C.J. Berdahl – Shameless – Showtime
Matt Cornett – Southland – Turner Network
Joe DiGiovanni – Deadtime Stories – Nickelodeon
Zayne Emory – A.N.T. Farm – Disney Channel
Matthew J. Evans – Lab Rats – Disney XD
Christian Hutcherson – See Dad Run – Nickelodeon
Joey Luthman – A.N.T. Farm – Disney Channel
Owen Teague – NCIS: Los Angeles – CBS
Justin Tinucci – Trophy Wife – ABC

Best Performance in a TV Series – Guest Starring Young Actress 14-16

Lizze Broadway – Bones – FOX
Mandalynn Carlson – Scandal – ABC
Madison Leisle – Touch – FOX
Danika Yarosh – 1600 Penn – NBC

Best Performance in a TV Series – Guest Starring Young Actor 11-13

Joshua Carlon – Sam & Cat – Nickelodeon
Jake Elliott – Kickin’ It – Disney XD
Sam Humphreys – Seed – Rogers Media
Sean Michael Kyer – Spooksville – The Hub Network
Toby Nichols – American Horror Story – FX
Darien Provost – Package Deal – City TV

Best Performance in a TV Series – Guest Starring Young Actress 11-13

Tara-Nicole Azarian – Supreme Justice with Judge Karen – Entertainment Studios
Brielle Barbusca – Modern Family – ABC
Ava Cantrell – The Haunted Hathaways – Nickelodeon
Lexi DiBenedetto – Grey’s Anatomy – ABC
Cameron Protzman – Mad Men – AMC
Rowan Rycroft – R. L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour – The Hub Network
Paris Smith – Modern Family – ABC

Best Performance in a TV Series – Guest Starring Young Actor 10 and Under

Raphael Alejandro – Almost Human – FOX
Felix Avitia – Bones – FOX
Thomas Barbusca – The New Normal – NBC
Tate Berney – Sons of Anarchy – FX
Kyle Harrison Breitkopf – Satisfaction – CTV
Christian Distefano – Murdoch Mysteries – CBC

Best Performance in a TV Series – Guest Starring Young Actress 10 and Under

Chiara D’Ambrosio – Legit – FX
Arcadia Kendal – Murdoch Mysteries – CBC
Kyla-Drew Simmons – How I Met Your Mother – CBS
Jena Skodje – R. L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour – The Hub Network

Best Performance in a TV Series – Recurring Young Actor 17-21

Samuel Patrick Chu – Spooksville – The Hub Network
Brock Ciarelli – The Middle – ABC
Evan Crooks – The Carrie Diaries – CW
Harrison Houde – Spooksville – The Hub Network
Austin MacDonald – Life with Boys – Nickelodeon
Mikey Reid – Victorious – Nickelodeon

Best Performance in a TV Series – Recurring Young Actress 17-21

Kelly Heyer – Raising Hope – FOX
Laine MacNeil – The Killing – AMC
Katlin Mastandrea – The Middle – ABC

Best Performance in a TV Series – Recurring Young Actor

LJ Benet – Dog with a Blog – Disney Channel
William Monette – 30 Vies – Radio-Canada (TV)
Nathan O’Toole – Vikings – History Channel
Brandon Soo Hoo – Supah Ninjas – Nickelodeon
Ethan Ross Wills – Granite Flats – BYU TV
Robbie Tucker – See Dad Run – Nickelodeon

Best Performance in a TV Series – Recurring Young Actress

Jaylen Barron – Good Luck Charlie – Disney Channel
Kayla Maisonet – Dog with a Blog – Disney Channel
Haley Pullos – Instant Mom – Nick Jr.
Danika Yarosh – See Dad Run – Nickelodeon

Best Performance in a TV Series – Recurring Young Actor 10 and Under

Rio Mangini – Kickin’ It – Disney XD
Cole Sand – Masters of Sex – Showtime
J.J. Totah – Jessie – Disney Channel

Best Performance in a Daytime TV Series – Young Actor

Jimmy Deshler – General Hospital – ABC
Daniel Polo – The Young and the Restless – CBS

Best Performance in a Daytime TV Series – Young Actress

Johnnie Ladd – The Young and the Restless – CBS
Haley Pullos – General Hospital – ABC
McKenna Roberts – The Young and the Restless – CBS
Brooklyn Rae Silzer – General Hospital – ABC

Outstanding Young Ensemble in a TV Series

Parenthood – NBC
Savannah Paige Rae, Tyree Brown, Max Burkholder, Xolo Maridueña

Spooksville – The Hub Network
Katie Douglas, Keean Johnson, Nick Purcha, Morgan Taylor Campbell

Best Performance in a Voice-Over Role

Best Performance in a Voice-Over Role – Young Actor

Jaden Betts – Doc McStuffins – Disney Channel
Zach Callison – Steven Universe – Cartoon Network
Devan Cohen – PAW Patrol – Nickelodeon
Christian Distefano – Peg + Cat – PBS
Jacob Ewaniuk – The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! – PBS

Best Performance in a Voice-Over Role – Young Actress

Sophia Ewaniuk – Ella the Elephant – Disney Channel
Bailey Gambertoglio – Bubble Guppies – Nickelodeon
Kallan Holley – PAW Patrol – Nickelodeon
Haley B. Powell – Imaginext Adventures – Fisher Price
Alexa Torrington – The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! – PBS

Best Performance in a DVD Film

Best Performance in a DVD Film – Young Actor

Austin Anderson – Wiener Dog Nationals – Inception Studios
Zach Callison – All American Christmas Carol – August Heart Entertainment
Julian Feder – Wiener Dog Nationals – Inception Studios
Darien Provost – Super Buddies – Disney
Brandon Tyler Russell – Wiener Dog Nationals – Inception Studios

Best Performance in a DVD Film – Young Actress

Caitlin Carmichael – Wiener Dog Nationals – Inception Studios
Ruka Felicity Nagashima – The Mark: Redemption – Eagle Films
Kenzie Pallone – Adventures of Bailey: A Night in Cowtown – Hungry Bear Productions

Best Web Performance

Best Web Performance – Young Actor

Kyle Agnew – Cowboys and Indians – Epiphany Pictures
Richard Davis – Kid’s Town – Kid’s Town Productions, Inc.
Jacob Ewaniuk – Kid’s Town – Kid’s Town Productions, Inc.
Brice Evan Fisher – CollegeHumor Originals – Botown Sound Productions
David Knoll – Kid’s Town – Kid’s Town Productions, Inc.
Joey Luthman – Chosen – Crackle.com

Best Web Performance – Young Actress

Caitlin Carmichael – Chosen – Crackle.com
Hannah Swain – Spirits – Woggle Box Entertainment
Brandi Alyssa Young – The Dark One – Insidious Set Productions

Best Performance in Live Theater

Best Performance in Live Theater – Young Actor

Caleb McLaughlin – The Lion King – Minskoff Theatre, New York
Matthew Nardozzi – Irving Berlin’s America – Wayne YMCA, New Jersey
Grant Palmer – The Steward of Christendom – Mark Taper Forum, California
Quinn Van De Keere – The Christmas Coat – Forte Theatre, Vancouve

Best Performance in Live Theater – Young Actress

Ella Ballentine – Les Misérables – Princess of Wales Theatre, Toronto
Madison Brydges – Numbers – Winchester Theatre, Toronto
Saara Chaudry – Les Misérables – Princess of Wales Theatre, Toronto
Alexis Rosinsky – To Dream Again – The Spot Theatre, California
Jolie Vanier – Detention – Palmer Cultural Center, Switzerland

Special Awards

Outstanding Live Performance

Nate Nordine – Youngest performer in Cirque de la Symphonie

Maureen Dragone Scholarship Award

Inner-City Arts – Enriching the lives of children through art

Jackie Coogan Award

Contribution to Youth

Tina Jønk Christensen – Excellence in journalism celebrating young artists

Social Relations of Knowledge Institute Award

How It’s Made – Science Channel