“The broad range of cinematic expression in this year’s festival is found not simply in terms of the volume of submissions or its demographics but in the variety of types of filmmakers and the issues they explore,” said Geoffrey Gilmore, festival director. “This year we are seeing a convergence of storytelling and art that truly illustrates the spectrum of what is possible in film.”

For the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, 바카라 보드 121 feature-length films were selected including 87 world premieres, 14 North American premieres, and 12 U.S. premieres representing 25 countries with 55 first-time filmmakers, including 32 in competition. These films were selected from 3,624 feature film submissions – 2,021 from the U.S. and 1,603 international films. These numbers represent an increase from last year when 1,852 U.S. and 1,435 international feature-length films were considered.

In an effort to draw attention to international screenwriters, cinematographers, and editors, this year the festival expands the number of awards given to films screening in the World Cinema Competitions. In addition to the World Cinema Jury Prize: Documentary and World Cinema Jury Prize: Dramatic, the international films in competition are now eligible for awards in directing, editing, screenwriting, and cinematography.

Among the well-known actors with films in competition are, Winona Ryder, Ben Kingsley, Ray Romano, Tom Arnold, Paul Giamatti, Sienna Miller, Peter Saarsgaard, Patricia Clarkson, Felicity Huffman, Nick Nolte, Billy Crudup, Mary Kate Olsen, Alan Arkin and Amy Adams.

The popularity of biopics continues, with several among the 2008 selections. To be profiled in films in competition are Gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson, filmmaker Roman Polanski, and rocker Patti Smith.

Documentaries tackle such subjects as big oil, steroid use, the Mideast turmoil and Hurricane Katrina.

For a complete look at the lineup see www.sundance.org.