The Sundance Institute and Japanese broadcaster NHK haveannounced the 12 finalists for the 2007 Sundance/NHK International FilmmakersAwards.

The annual award, now in its 11th year, honours emerging directorsfrom four global regions. One winner from each of Europe, Latin America, the USand Japan will be chosen by an international jury and presented with theirawards during the festival in January.

Each winner will receive $10,000 and a guarantee from NHK topurchase the Japanese television broadcast rights upon completion of theirproject. In addition the Sundance Institute will provide ongoing supportthroughout the year in seeking out financing and distribution opportunities.

The 12 finalists for the 2007 Sundance/NHK InternationalFilmmakers Awards are:

Europe: Jens Jonsson for The Ping-Pong King (Sweden); Dagur Kari for The Good Heart (Iceland); and Ursula Meier for Home (Switzerland).

Latin America: Lucia Cedron for Agnus Dei (Argentina); Jorge Gaggero for DogSecurity (Argentina); and Josue Mendez for Dioses (Peru).

Japan: Isamu Hirabayashi for The Care And Feeding OfInsects; Tomoko Kana for Two ByThe River; and Yoshinori Saitou for ChickenChoice.

US: Caran Hartsfield for Bury Me Standing; Jake Mahaffy for Free In Deed; and Kazuo Ohno for Mr Crumpacker And TheMan From The Letter.