Diversity reigns at Sundance Film Festival: Redford

PARK CITY, Utah (AP) - Diversity is king at the Sundance Film Festival - and queen, too.

For the first time, half of the films featured at the festival were made by women.

Festival founder Robert Redford opened the event on Thursday and said "diversity is the point" of the independent film showcase, further evidenced by contributions from 32 countries and 51 first-time film-makers this year. The chorus of voices represented at Sundance "reflects the times we're in", he said.

"What Sundance stands for is giving new voices and new film-makers an opportunity to be seen and heard," Redford said in an interview. "We show what's there, and what comes up will usually give you an indication of changing times."