Kiwi documentary Tickled, directed by former TV3 journalist David Farrier alongside Dylan Reeve, has been submitted for consideration at next year's Academy Awards.
One-hundred and forty five feature documentaries are on the long-list, which includes the Sundance Documentary Grand Jury Prize winner Weiner and acclaimed Netflix doco 13.
"It feels quite odd seeing Tickled in the list," Farrier told Newshub. "I mean there are films in the list by Werner Herzog and Terrence Malick. I feel like I should call them up and say, 'Are we definitely on the right list?'"
In a post on his Facebook page, David Farrier called the full list of documentaries "totally bonkers" and said the long-list is a good place to start for people deciding what to watch on a night in.
In addition to Oscar hype, Tickled is up for two Critics Choice Awards this week, which will see Farrier travel to New York.
"The invite says to dress 'business casual' so I am just trying to figure out if American 'business casual' is the same as New Zealand business casual. The whole Tickled journey has been filled with confusing moments like this."
Being in the US this week will be "bonkers", Farrier says: "We are releasing the film over there this week on iTunes… then there's an election!
"I sometimes wonder if Hillary or Donald have watched Tickled yet."
Farrier says himself, as well as his co-director Dylan Reeve, are "really excited about everything".
"This whole Tickled thing started as a Kickstarter project, so [we are] eternally grateful to those who were into the idea from the start."
Tickled's producer Carthew Neal, who also worked on Taika Waititi's Hunt for the Wilderpeople, has also enjoyed success since the documentary was released. He this week made Variety's list of the '10 Producers to Watch' in 2016.
The Academy's documentary branch will shortlist 15 films for the Oscar in December, before the five final nominations for next year's ceremony get announced on January 24.
Tickled is due for home release on DVD and Blu-Ray in New Zealand from December 1.
Newshub.
