Robert Redford launches Sundance London

Robert Redford has announced that a new event called Sundance London will take place from next spring.

The actor, who established Sundance in Utah in 1978, said that the aim of the event is to bring the "very best in current American independent cinema" to the capital.

Taking place from April 26 to April 29, 2012 at The O2, Redford promised that Sundance London would "help build a picture of [the US] that is broadly reflective of the diversity of voices not always seen in our cultural exports".

He added: "We want to bring a slice of our culture to this space. There will also be American music, as well as debates and panel discussions."

As well as launching the event, Redford challenged the programme of cuts directed towards the arts in both the UK and the US.

"Everybody is experiencing this austerity programme around the world, we're seeing it in America - cutbacks, cutbacks," Redford said.

"That's something I wouldn't attack on all fronts, other than in the arts, and I join my colleagues here - Helen Mirren, who I've worked with, Jeremy Irons and others, who say you can't cut the arts because it enriches the culture."

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