New Zealand short film The Six Dollar Fifty Man has taken top honours at the Sundance International Film Festival in Utah.
The film, about an eight-year-old boy who retreats into a world of make-believe to escape playground bullying, won the International Jury Prize for short-film making on Wednesday night.
The short film was written and directed by Louis Sutherland and Mark Albiston.
Speaking from Utah, Mark Albiston said there was no money with the award - just the kudos - and they have already had a couple of meetings with agents.
The film was already in contention for the 2011 Academy Awards after winning the top prize at the Flickerfest short film festival in Sydney earlier this year.
The film's producer, Wendy Cuthbert, says the Sundance win gives the film its second eligibility for an Oscar nomination, and she has her fingers crossed.
