Short Film News (SFN) - Helena Trestikova's documentary Rene won the European Film Academy's Prix Arte award as the best European documentary of the year.

The doc which follows the life of a young criminal over two decades, was chosen among 10 nominees such as Man on Wire, Citizen Havel, Fados, and Stranded: I've Come from a Plane that Crashed on the Mountains.

"This is a film which tells a powerful story - filmed over 20 years - about an extraordinary character on the edge of society," said jury in a statement. "The jury found its examination of the relationship between subject and filmmaker fascinating and thought-provoking."

This year's jury was made up of Danish producer Karoline Leth, Finnish program director of the Moscow Film Festival, Kirsi Tykkyläinen, and British producer Alan Hayling.

The award will be presented during the 21st European Film Awards Ceremony in Copenhagen on 6 December.