A SHORT FILM starring a youngster from Upper Stratton is in with a shout of being Oscar-nominated.

The Silent Child and its six-year-old star Maisie Sly has won acclaim and awards at film festivals all over the world.

Now it’s been given a place on a shortlist of 10 which will soon be whittled down to the five nominees for Best Live Action Short Film at next year’s Oscars.

Maisie and her parents Elizabeth and Gilson Sly were over the moon when they heard the news.

Gilson said: “It’s fantastic that the film is doing so well and we are so proud of Maisie being part of it.

“It’s surreal, we started shooting the film a year ago and now Maisie could be on screen at the Oscars.

“The message of the film is so important and having it shown to a global audience at the Oscars would be great for raising awareness.

“I hope it inspires people to be the change and increase the push to make British Sign Language more accessible by teaching it in schools.

“The isolation that deaf children and adults feel would then be a thing of the past.

“It’s such a big deal just to be considered for a possible nomination.

“It’s brilliant to get this far and now we’re here, lets go all the way.”

The Silent Child follows Libby, a deaf child born to a hearing family who struggle to communicate with their daughter.

She grows up isolated and develops behavioural problems until a social worker played by Rachel Shenton comes in to help.

Rachel wrote the film to raise awareness of the issues around hearing impairment and improve audiences’ understanding of the condition.

She said: “This is such a huge achievement, it’s very exciting.

“Maisie’s mum and dad were the first people I told when I heard the news, we’re celebrating and I’m so happy for Maisie.

“We believe in the film and it has such an important message behind it, so it’s an honour and a privilege for it to be potentially in front of a mainstream audience.

“You never know who will make the final five, but we’ve done pretty well so far so why not us? It could happen.”

Little leading lady Maisie has had quite an adventure since she was chosen to play Libby after the film’s cast and crew auditioned 100 deaf and hard-of-hearing children for the part.

Rachel organised a special surprise screening of the film at Maisie’s school Red Oaks Primary in August, where all her teachers and classmates got to see her acting debut.

Then Maisie flew with her proud parents to the film’s international premiere in Rhode Island, which was her first ever trip to America and her first time on a plane.

Thousands of films are submitted for Oscar consideration every year before a longlist of 165 is created by the Academy.

Only a select few are then deemed good enough to make the shortlist.

The Oscar nominations will be announced on Tuesday, January 23.