The film, directed by Alan Hicks and filmed by Adam Hart, took out the audience's choice and best documentary awards at New York's Tribeca Film Festival this year.

Produced by Quincy Jones, the movie was then picked up by Harvey Weinstein's production company Radius TWC.

On Monday night, California time, the Academy announced this years' Oscars documentary category had 134 entrants, with Keep On Keepin' On among 15 making the shortlist. Five will be selected for nomination for the award, with nominees to be announced on January 15.

Keep On Keepin' On follows the story of jazz trumpeter Clark Terry, 93, who played in the bands of Count Basie and Duke Ellington and went on to become a mentor to musicians like Quincy Jones and Miles Davis.

Mr Hicks met Mr Terry at New York's William Patterson University in 2003.

A young blind pianist, Justin Kauflin, was also a student around that time, and Keep On Keepin' On focuses on the bond which formed between he and Mr Terry as the older man began to lose his sight.

Mr Hart got involved in the project in 2010 after Mr Hicks found out the ABC's Australian Story had decided not to film an episode about his friendship with Mr Terry.

Floating in the surf at Stanwell Park beach, the two school friends decided they could make the film themselves. They spent the next few years scraping together money and filming Mr Terry while he continued to teach as he celebrated his 91st and 92nd birthdays.

Mr Jones agreed to come on board as producer after he saw their impressive footage of his mentor during a chance visit to Mr Terry's Arkansas home.

The film has been released in the US and is expected to be in Australia next year.