The Oliver Schmitz-directed film was one of 66 non-US films considered by the Academy for Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and made it through to the next round at the weekend. The full list of nominees for the February 27 ceremony will be announced tomorrow.

Producer Greig Buckle said there would be no celebrations until the nominations were officially announced: “We’re not there yet”.

“It’s great news because we’ve gone from being one of 66 [contenders] to just nine . It means we’re doing something right,” Buckle said.

The film also received plaudits at the Cannes Film Festival last year.

The story is about teenager Chanda, played by Khomotso Manyaka, who has to deal with rumours in her village about her mother’s HIV status. The rumours force the mother to flee and Chanda must search for her – and the truth.