JOHN CUSACK - SUNDANCE HONOURS TWO LATIN FILMS

Two Latin American films have scooped the top prizes at this year's (07) Sundance independent film festival. The Mexican illegal immigrant story PADRE NUESTRO (Our Father) was given the Grand Jury Prize, while MANDA BALLA (Send A Bullet) - which explores the violence in modern Brazilian society - won the documentary jury's top honour. Over 120 films were screened at the 10-day Sundance festival. Director GEOFFREY GILMORE said it has been a "landmark year" for the festival. He added, "For so many different reasons, this work is exceptional in terms of how much of it will get into the marketplace, and the range of issues and maturity of the film-makers." Other winners included Israeli film SWEET MUD, which won the World Cinema prize, while GRACE IS GONE, which stars Hollywood actor JOHN CUSACK, won the Audience Award for best drama.