A Syrian cinematographer whose latest work is nominated for an Oscar will be unable to attend tomorrow's Academy Awards ceremony after being denied entry into the United States. 

Khaled Khateeb, 21, was due to attend the award ceremony following the nomination of The White Helmets for best documentary short. The 40-minute Netflix film tells the story of rescue workers who risk their lives to save civilians affected by the civil war.

The Nobel Peace Prize-nominated rescue group is estimated to have saved over 78,000 lives to date.  

But Mr Khateeb's hopes were shattered after US officials refused to grant him a passport waiver at the last minute, saying they had found "derogatory information" about the young cinematographer, according to the Guardian.

"Derogatory information" can include anything from suspected terrorist links to more pedestrian passport irregularities. 

Mr Khateeb needed the last-minute waiver after he was detained by Turkish officials last week. No information was given as to why Mr Khateeb was detained. 

In a statement made just last month, Mr Khateeb enthused about the importance of the film and its broader significance. 

"I started to document their work as a volunteer to show the world that everyday Syrians were pulling humanity from the rubble of bombs," he said. "If we win this award, it will show people across Syria that people around the world support them. It will give courage to every volunteer who wakes up every morning to run towards bombs." 

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