LOS ANGELES (AFP) ― Sex, the Internet and good old fashioned rock-and-roll will dominate the 29th Sundance Film Festival, the top showcase of independent U.S. cinema that opens Thursday in the snowy mountains of Utah.

Founded by Robert Redford, the annual festival in Park City aims to nurture independent filmmakers who might otherwise be eclipsed by output from the major studios ― while Hollywood uses it to scout new up-and-coming talent.

The Jan. 17-27 event will present 119 feature films from 32 countries, including 51 first-timers and more than 100 world premieres.

Sex and desire, for teenagers and adults, are key themes that will be explored at Sundance in both fictional movies and documentaries, festival director John Cooper told AFP. “It is undeniable that there are a lot of examinations of sexual relationships in this year’s line-up,” Cooper said.

“Filmmakers are dealing with sex as power, sex as basic human need and desire, sex from both the male and female point of view,” he explained.

“I chalk this up to the fact that independent filmmakers have always been at the forefront as far as tackling fresh ideas and issues ― even taboo subjects.”

Among the films sure to create buzz are “Lovelace,” starring “Les Miserables” alum Amanda Seyfried in the title role as 1970s porn star Linda Lovelace of “Deep Throat” fame.

Also on the program are “The Lifeguard,” about the dangerous relationship between a pool lifeguard and a teenager, and “Interior. Leather Bar.” ― an X-rated art film directed by and starring James Franco.