Amsterdam director Thijs Bouman is suddenly a step closer to a dream now that his series De Achterblijvers has been nominated for an International Emmy Award.
He is the only Dutch nominee for the prize this year.
The series follows young people who have no choice but to stay at home during the summer holidays.
Competing with Chile, the Philippines and the UK
It is up against productions from Chile, the Philippines and the United Kingdom.
Bouman and lead actor Brandon River Coene were a little modest about the nomination but smiled broadly as they said they are proud.
They called it surreal and a pleasant surprise.
Domestic violence, grief and hidden poverty
Bouman hopes the nomination will bring more attention to the subjects the series deals with: domestic violence, grief and poverty that others do not see.
He says that talking openly about these subjects can help ease the pain.
He also thinks it is good for children in these situations to see themselves in a series.
If the grief or hardship in De Achterblijvers feels close to home, here is where to find someone to talk to in Amsterdam.