A teenager has been crowned “best newcomer” at the Hong Kong Film Awards, beating a veteran kung fu artist and pop stars.

The 43rd Hong Kong Film Awards on Sunday revealed the first major result of the night, with Dylan So, who was just 16 when he played the role of a killer son in Papa, scooping the prize for best newcomer.

Papa, starring veteran actor Sean Lau Ching-wan, tells the story of a cha chaan teng boss who dwells on the memory of his deceased wife and young daughter, who were killed by his eldest son one night in 2008.

Simultaneously, he struggles to maintain his role as a father and navigate his relationship with his son, which is both familial and hostile.

In a speech after receiving his award from veteran actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai, So thanked his family and film producers for giving him the opportunity, and also his movie “parents”, Lau and “mum” Jo Koo Cho-lam.

“I really want to tackle youthful, school drama next,” So told reporters after his win, when asked about the role he wanted to play next.

The other nominees were Lau Wai-ming, also known as Jozev Kiu, for his portrayal of “Double Blade” in Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In. At 56, he was the oldest nominee.