South Korean director Jang Kun-Jae’s Eighteen has won what looks to have been a close race for the Dragons & Tigers Award at the Vancouver International Film Festival, edging out special mention Bakal Boys and also-ran Karaoke.

The jury at VIFF praised the film for its craftsmanship and characters. ‘The direction and camerawork… leave the viewer with a fresh, clean feeling. All of the characters are very alive and real,’ reads the jury statement, adding that, ‘the film conveys the pressure society inflicts on the characters who are screaming inside.’ The story follows an illicit relationship between two high schoolers.

The annual Asian film prize comes with $10,000 and nearly went to contender Chris Chong Chan Fui for his Karaoke. The jury said it set aside Karaoke because the D&T award is meant for films that have not yet won ‘significant international recognition.’

Special mention went to Bakal Boys by Ralston G. Jover of the Philippines.