Sam French oversaw production with Ariel Nasr, an Afghan-Canadian producer. Los Angeles filmmaker Martin Desmond Roe co-produced the film and helped write the script. “So our aim was to write something that was culturally sensitive but still honest,” he said.

The filmmakers hope the project will help revive the Afghan film industry.

For the two young actors, the nomination means a trip to Hollywood, and for Fawad Mohammadi, a chance to meet Sylvester Stallone, his movie hero.