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(AllHipHop News) Months before the release of his latest film, The Karate Kid, Jaden Smith is receiving kudos for his work on the feature from the ShoWest film festival.

The young star, who is the son of rapper/actor Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, has been named ShoWest’s Breakthrough Male Star of the Year. The award will be presented Wednesday (March 17) at the event, which will be held in Las Vegas’ Bally’s and Paris Las Vegas hotels.

According ShoWest managing director, Robert Sunshine, Jaden Smith was a logical choice for the Breakthrough Male award in light of his work on The Karate Kid.

“Jaden Smith is an exceptional young actor who has delivered a true breakout performance with his portrayal of Dre Parker in The Karate Kid,” Sunshine shared with The Hollywood Reporter.

Described as the most prestigious and longest running convention and trade show for the cinema exhibition and distribution community, ShoWest features film screenings of major studio and independent feature films which are slated to be released in the Summer. Special events featuring Hollywood starts as well as educational seminars are also held during the event.

The Karate Kid marks Jaden Smith’s third film to date. The entertainer made his film debut opposite Will Smith in The Pursuit of Happiness. That appearance was followed up with a role in the 2008 remake of The Day the Earth Stood Still.

In The Karate Kid, Jaden Smith will share screen time with fellow co-star Jackie Chan. The Herald Zwart-directed feature is scheduled to hit theaters on June 11.