US film Bob and the Trees wins top prize at Czech festival

"Bob and the Trees", a US film shot by a French-born director, took home the award for best movie at an international film festival in the western Czech spa city of Karlovy Vary on Saturday.

Director Diego Ongaro, who grew up in Paris but lives in Massachusetts, collected the $25,000 (22,400-euro) Crystal Globe prize at the closing ceremony.

The film, partly a documentary in which the main character plays himself, tells the true story of Bob Tarasuk -- a Massachusetts logger and father-of-three with a passion for golf and gangsta rap, who has a diploma in computer programming and natural resources conservation.

American actor Richard Gere received a Crystal Globe for his contribution to world cinematography at the festival that kicked off on July 3.

Harvey Keitel, a 2004 Crystal Globe winner, was another Hollywood star attending the 50th edition of the festival this year.

Organisers said more than 135,000 cinemagoers had come to the festival, up from last year's 131,000.