Danish director Ole Christian Madsen last week walked away with the top prize at Spain's Cinema Jove International Film Festival, the Luna de Valencia (Valencian Moon), for his film Pizza King.

Made on a budget of $800,000, Pizza premiered in Denmark to a strong audience turnout after distribution problems delayed its release. The Luna comes with a prize of $17,000.

The 15th edition of the annual festival, held in Valencia June 17-24, also saw Indian-UK co-production Marana Simhasanam, from director Murali Nair, win a special mention. Italy's Matteo Delbo won the Golden Valencian Moon and $5,700 for best short film for Mona Lisa.

The US's Peter Sollett won the Silver Valencian Moon for his short film Five Feet High And Rising, while the UK's Suzie Templeton took home the bronze prize for Stanley. The Cinema Jove festival this year was marked by increased international participation. Recognised for its strong short film competition, Cinema Jove also hosts the short film marketplace, which this year welcomed close to 400 entries.