Robert Redford to Bring 'Mini Sundance' Festival to London

Veteran actor Robert Redford helped bring the Sundance Film Festival some notoriety when he stepped in as its inaugural chairman back in 1978. Now, Redford has a new idea to bring the festival even more international attention and help bring indie films to light: take it to London.

Redford is planning on opening a "mini" Sundance festival in London, England to expand the festival's reach overseas. But the benefit to the festival and the filmmakers isn't the only reason he wants Sundance to go to England: "Look at the festival. It puts $70m into the local economy," said Redford. "You can’t, unless it is an ideological argument, classify the arts as a trivial pursuit."

Why the feisty attitude?

The UK recently cut funding for the arts, including the abolition of the UK Film Council, which helps bring UK films to the global market. With a Sundance festival in London, funding could get a boost as excited filmmakers and audiences see the work that's being done. Additionally, as Redword stated, the festival helps boost ailing economies...and England's could certainly use the help.

The first Sundance London will be held in April of 2012 at the 02 Arena.