Biček's high-school drama tells the story of a tense relationship between a group of students and their new German language teacher and features an impressive cast of some of Slovenia's leading actors such as Igor Samobor and Nataša Barbara Gračner.

The screenplay was written by Biček, Nejc Gazvoda, who is another up-and-coming young Slovenian director, and acclaimed film-maker Janez Lapajne.

Biček told the STA the film received "unbelievable" reviews from critics, and foreign distributors have already expressed interest.

He attributes the film's international success to it having managed to capture the spirit of the time, defined as it is by intergenerational conflict.

The resistance of the students mirrors the protests that have been popping up across Europe, he said.

Biček recently said the film was based on a true story that he experienced as a high-school student when a girl from the final year committed suicide. This was followed by a spontaneous rebellion of her classmates against the school system and the teachers.

The suicide is used in the film as a trigger for events that try to go beyond the confines of the school walls to reflect the general social climate of today. The extreme situation demonstrates the gap between two very different generations that is further widened by the tragedy.

This is the second award for Slovenian film at this prestigious festival after Jan Cvitkovič won the Lion of the Future in 2001 for his debut feature "Bread and Milk".

Meanwhile, another film with Slovenian involvement, "Zoran, il mio nipote scemo" (Zoran My Idiot Nephew) directed by Matteo Oleotto, received a special mention of the jury this year. Copruduced by Slovenian producer Staragara, the film's scenography and costumes are the work of Slovenian artists.