The Competition begins today with two feature film screenings per day for the next five days. The 10-member Jury presided by director Regis Wargnier will bestow the American Independent Film Grand Prize and Jury Prize on Sunday, Sept 12 at the close of the festival.

The ten films in competition at a glance:

Being John Malkovich
by Spike Jonze with John Malkovich, Cameron Diaz, John Cusak Premiered at Venice 99. First feature film for director Jonze who is known for his award-winning music videos, from Bjork to REM. The funny, original story has very little to do with the real John Malkovich and pokes fun at celebrity images.

The Minus Man
by Hampton Fancher with Owen Wilson, Janeane Garofalo, Sheryl Crow Next festival screening: CMJ FilmFest '99 (New York). A young man enters the life of a middle-aged couple who lost their only daughter in a small town where he rents a room, but certain events will disturb this peaceful little town.

The Bumblebee Flies Away
by Martin Duffy with Elijah Wood, Rachael Leigh Cook, Janeane Garofalo A dark psychodrama set in a cancer research facility. Duffy's previous film: The Boy From Mercury.
Go! by Doug Liman with Katie Holmes, Sarah Polley, Scott Wolf Premiered at Sundance 99, U.S. Comedy Arts Festival (March 99 - Aspen, CO), 16th Miami Film Fiesta. Liman's previous feature film: Swingers in 1996.

Go!
by Doug Liman with Katie Holmes, Sarah Polley, Scott Wolf Premiered at Sundance 99 and has appeared at numerous other festivals since. Liman, after Swingers (1996) , had several propositions from the big studios, but he liked Augusts story and decided to direct Go!, a modern look at youth today.

Judy Berlin
by Eric Mendelsohn with Barbara Barrie, Edie Falco Premiered at Sundance 99, Cannes 99, Newport International Film Festival, 16th Avignon Film Festival (won Tournage Award for best film). Next festival screening Toronto 99 (Contemporary World Cinema). Decidedly, this first film is making waves all over the world since its well-received debut at Sundance.

Twin Falls Idaho
by Michael Polish with Michael and Mark Polish Premiered at Sundance 99, 4th Annual Nantucket Film Festival, New York Film Festival. The film tells the story of conjoined twins and the intimate bonds of love and friendship that join them.

Whiteboys
by Marc Levin with Danny Hoch Marc Levin,is back He was in Deauville's competition line-up last year with Slam after having won the 1998 Sundance Grand Jury Prize and the Camera D'or at Cannes 98. A white boy from Iowa dreams of singing rap in a black band.

Happy, Texas
by Mark Illsley with Steve Zahn, Jeremy Northam, William H. Macy Premiered at Sundance 99. Next festival screenings: Toronto 99 (Contemporary World Cinema), and closing the CMJ Festival in New York. The adventures of two ex-cons.

Guinevere
by Audrey Wells with Stephen Rea, Sara Polley, Gina Gershon Premiered at Sundance 99. Next festival screening: Toronto 99 (Contemporary World Cinema). A rich girl who falls in love with a drunken, hack-photographer.

Fiona
by Amos Kolleck with Anna Thomson Premiered in Berlin 99 (Panorama). First film, also with Anna Thomson, was entitled Sue. Lost in the marginal life of New York, one day Fiona decides to leave the city and start a new life.