Japanese film director Hamaguchi Ryusuke has received the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival's award ceremony.

The ceremony was held in Berlin, Germany, on Sunday. It was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Hamaguchi's "Guzen to sozo," or "Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy," won the Silver Bear. It's the highest prize in the competition, after the Golden Bear for Best Film.

During his speech, Hamaguchi read out the names of the cast and staff members one by one to express his gratitude. The audience gave him a round of applause.

Hamaguchi told reporters later that he began to feel that he had really won the prize after he visited Berlin.

He said the award did not feel real at first because he had only communicated with others about it online. He said he now understands the importance of the award.

Romanian director Radu Jude's "Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn" was awarded the Golden Bear this year.

During the festival, more than 120 films will be screened at open-air venues. The event ends next Sunday. Hamaguchi's film is scheduled to be shown for three days, starting on Tuesday.

The Berlin event is considered to be one of the three major international film festivals, along with the festivals in Cannes and Venice.