New Zealand short film "The Six Dollar Fifty Man" has taken top honors at the Sundance International Film Festival in Utah, the United States, New Zealand media reported on Thursday.

The film, about an eight-year-old boy who retreats into a world of make-believe to escape playground bullying, won the International Jury Prize for short-film making on Wednesday night.

The short film was written and directed by Louis Sutherland and Mark Albiston.

The film was already in contention for the Academy Awards after winning the top prize at the Flickerfest Short Film Festival in Sydney earlier this year.

The film's producer, Wendy Cuthbert, said the Sundance win gives the film its second eligibility for an Oscar nomination.