Redford opens Sundance

Movie lovers were excited about the opening day of the Sundance Film Festival, despite trudging through snow in Park City, Utah on Thursday (January 17).

Movie executives and first-time directors will find tales of pornography and sex addiction awaiting them at this year's festival, in a trend to show more skin at Robert Redford's annual film showcase.

In its 35th year, the annual Sundance Film Festival has become a launch pad for low-budget films and unknown stars in films that need investors.

Co-founded in 1978 by actor-director Redford, this year's 119 films were culled from 12,000 submissions.

SOUNDBITE Robert Redford saying (English):

"As long as we go forward and we adapt to change, we keep in touch with our original purpose which is simply to support and develop new voices to be seen and heard and do whatever we can to promote them."

The ten-day festival, starting on January 17, showcases the films in competitions and low-key premieres that serve as an antidote to Hollywood's glittering awards season.