Quebec director Daniel Grou, also known as Podz, grabbed the top prize this weekend at the Mannheim-Heidelberg International Film Festival for his coming-of-age indie film 10 1/2 (pictured).

The Zoofilms picture about a 10-year-old juvenile delinquent and his guardian at a halfway house stars Eugénie Beaudry, Martin Dubreuil, Claude Legault.

“From the very first shot, the director demonstrates his ability of telling stories in a visually innovative way,” the festival jury said in awarding Grou its main prize.

The French language film bowed at the Festival du Nouveau Cinema in October, ahead of a Quebec theatrical release.

The German festival’s jury also gave special mention to Canadian director Nelofer Pazira for Act of Dishonour, an indie drama about a war-torn Afghan village.