Sundance Creates International Competition

Sundance--America's most popular, independent film festival-- has created two new categories for international films. This will enable them to compete alongside U.S. films for the first time.

On Tuesday, Sundance announced the categories of World Cinema Documentary and World Cinema Drama, exposing America to the world of international film.

Geoffrey Gilmore, the festival director, told BBC News Online, "We have always had an international component, but from next year [non-American films] will enter a jury competition." Gilmore also added, "We wanted to give world cinema more emphasis and have now put it on par with the American dramatic and documentary competitions."

The festival kicks off with a U.S. family drama/comedy titled "Happy Endings," starring Lisa Kudrow, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Tom Arnold. International films to be featured are Britain's "On a Clear Day," a story of a man crossing the English Channel, and "The Liberace of Baghdad," a portrayal of daily life in Jerusalem.

Other American A-list stars who are featured this year are Sandra Bullock in "Loverboy," Keanu Reeves and Vince Vaughn in "Thumbsucker," and Pierce Brosnan in "Matador."

Sundance will feature 120 films, including 19 U.S. premieres and 87 world premieres. The festival is held in Park City, Utah and runs from January 20 to January 30.