Director Marco Berger's Ausente (Absent) has won the Teddy Award at the 61st Berlin International Film Festival, also known as Berlinale.

The film stars Javier de Pietro as Martin and Carlos Echevarria as his sports teacher, Sebastian.

Martin subtly finds excuses to invade Sebastian's personal life and end up spending a night in his apartment. It's a thriller about a minor exploiting an adult.

“The jury decides to give this year's Teddy Award for best feature film to AUSENTE directed by Marco Berger in recognition of its original story, bold and innovative aesthetics, and sophisticated approach to queer dynamics,” the nine-member jury said in awarding its 25th annual prize.

“The film's unique combination of homoerotic desire, suspense and romantic tension reflects the director's keen understanding of genre conventions and cinematic language. As the most intriguing, cutting-edge film in the selection, the jury considers that Ausente celebrates the spirit of the Teddy Award.”

The Teddys recognize the best gay and lesbian cinema at the festival. Last year, American director Lisa Cholodenko took home the prize with the Oscar-nominated lesbian moms movie The Kids Are All Right.