Caleb Payne (11), from Stellenbosch, has been nominated by the Young Artist Academy™ in Hollywood in the Feature Film Leading Youth Artist category. A shining star from our beloved Winelands – we are so proud.
Since 1978, the Young Artist Academy™ – dubbed the “Youth Oscars” – has produced Hollywood’s first and longest-running youth awards, held annually in Los Angeles. Previous nominees and winners include Scarlett Johansson, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Jennifer Lawrence.
Being nominated for such a prestigious award is not only impressive for an 11-year-old, but is a first for South Africa in the 43 years of the Academy’s history. He’s been nominated for his role as Jetmir in the movie “Good Life”. Jetmir is an Albanian refugee, and is at the heart of the story.
Carolyn Steyn, patron of the Arts in South Africa, applauded Caleb’s performance in the film saying, “Remember that name!”
Watch the trailer:
The film itself is an ode to our country’s creative and artistic excellence. “Good Life” was independently produced in South Africa for Netflix in 2021, and directed by South African Bonnie Rodini. The cherry on top of this Mzanzi cake is that the film was shot entirely in and around Cape Town during the 2020 lockdown.
Also read: Popular shows filmed in Cape Town
Caleb’s career is certainly on the fast track. The talented youngster has also appeared in the successful Netflix film, Kissing Booth 3, and features in Resident Evil, Warrior Season one and two, and Lincoln.
Caleb worked in TV commercials from the age of six. This propelled his passion for acting and drama, supported by an “unschooling” environment. Unschooling does away with the rigidity of formal curriculums – which gave Caleb the time to explore his talents.
“My parents believe in natural learning, so I can choose what activities I want to do and being unschooled gives me more time and freedom to explore my natural talents and interests that include kung fu, fencing and dancing. I also love surfing at Strand Beach and skateboarding at the Cloetesville skatepark in Stellenbosch or The Shed in Cape Town. I learn lines, practise my arts and enjoy them all in different ways,” the young star told IOL in an interview.
Caleb has plenty of projects in the pipeline and has some major goals set. But first, he’ll be off to Los Angeles for the awards ceremony, which is set for 2 October.
Caleb’s folks have set up a campaign, Get Caleb to Hollywood, to help get their son get to the States, where we’re backing him to take home the win. Well done Caleb!
Also read:
Picture: Instagram / by @ninazimolong
