The 19th Youth in Film Awards ceremony (now known as the Young Artist Awards), presented by the Youth in Film Association, honored outstanding youth performers under the age of 21 in the fields of film, television and theatre for the 1996-1997 season, and took place on March 14, 1998, in Hollywood, California. Established in 1978 by long-standing Hollywood Foreign Press Association member, Maureen Dragone, the Youth in Film Association was the first organization to establish an awards ceremony specifically set to recognize and award the contributions of performers under the age of 21 in the fields of film, television, theatre and music. Categories ★ Bold indicates the winner in each category. Best Young Performer in a Feature Film Best Performance in a Feature Film: Leading Young Actor ★ (tie) Blake Heron - Shiloh ★ (tie) Kevin Zegers - Air Bud Mario Yedidia - Warriors of Virtue Blake Foster - Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie Brandon Hammond - Soul Food Best Performance in a Feature Film: Leading Young Actress ★ Mara Wilson - A Simple Wish Florence Hoath - FairyTale: A True Story Christina Ricci - That Darn Cat Jurnee Smollett - Eve's Bayou Jennifer Love Hewitt - I Know What You Did Last Summer Best Performance in a Feature Film: Supporting Young Actor ★ Jeremy Foley - Dante's Peak Erik Von Detten - Leave It to Beaver Adam Zolotin - Leave It to Beaver Elijah Wood - The Ice Storm Brendan Fletcher - Air Bud Best Performance in a Feature Film: Supporting Young Actress ★ Jessica Biel - Ulee's Gold Vanessa Zima - Ulee's Gold Christina Ricci - The Ice Storm Rebecca Lee Meza - Selena Best Performance in a Feature Film: Young Actor Age Ten or Under ★ Joseph Ashton - The Education of Little Tree Justin Cooper - Liar Liar Cameron Finley - Leave It to Beaver Alex D. Linz - Home Alone 3 Vincent Berry - Free Willy 3: The Rescue Best Performance in a Feature Film: Young Actress Age Ten or Under ★ Jamie Renée Smith - Dante's Peak Mika Boorem - The Education of Little Tree Danielle Wiener - Traveller Elizabeth Earl - FairyTale: A True Story Best Young Performer in a TV Movie, Pilot or Mini-Series Best Performance in a TV Movie / Pilot / Mini-Series: Leading Young Actor ★ Gregory Smith - Shadow Zone: My Teacher Ate My Homework Robert Ri'chard - In