Stockholm child actor gets Hollywood nomination

STOCKHOLM — Madeline Lupi hit the stage at five years old. Four years later, she is already heading to Hollywood.

Starring in countless movies and plays — Lupi, now age nine, of Stockholm was nominated for her performance in a short film, "American Autumn," as Best Performance in a Short Film, Young Actress Under 10.

"We are thrilled, we couldn’t believe it," said Madeline's mother Deborah. "We were very, very surprised. It is pretty prestigious."

The Young Artist Awards' ceremony was held on May 4 in Studio City, Cali.

The family trip to the west coast was a first for the Lupi family.

"It is really exciting," Madeline said, who went to see fellow actors on the Walk of Fame.

Acting career
Starting at the young age of five, Madeline took to theater and then transitioned to acting when she was six and a half years old.

"She was very mature for her age and she was very aware of what was going on," Deborah said. "Those are the types of qualities that directors look for when casting. Every time we went in for casting, she got casted. She really enjoyed it."

Madeline credits her sister, Abagail, for helping her take the plunge on camera.

"My sister sings and dances and acts," Madeline said. "She really encouraged me and inspired me to start. I started to sing and impersonate people at home."

Over her four year career, Madeline has shot 41 films, several commercials, two music videos, a guest spot on the TV series, "In Fear Of," several episodes in the TV mini-series, "Kate's World," and the feature film, "Carroll Park," among others.

And most recently her nominated role in American Autumn.

American Autumn
The film, which was shot in New Jersey last winter, is a melodrama that depicts small everyday catastrophes that threaten upper middle class families, according to the release.

"It's unique because kids are actually playing as adults and we had to say a whole bunch of stuff we didn’t even know what it meant," Madeline said. "It was a little challenging to remember how to pronounce the words."

In the film, the children were actually the adults.

"She had to be a very strong female character," Deborah said. "She had to be a wife. She was married to one of characters and have adult discussions."

Awards ceremony
The Young Artist Awards has been going on for the past 34 years. It is a non-profit organization that honors the best young stars (up to the age of 21) in the entertainment world. This includes work done in feature films, short films, TV shows, voice-overs and live theatre.

Although she didn't win, Madeline was still happy.

"We are all winners," Madeline said, "Just for being nominated!"