Frozen River, a story about smuggling immigrants into the US, has won a top prize at the Sundance Film Festival.
Jury member Quentin Tarantino said the film, written and directed by Courtney Hunt, "was one of the most exciting thrillers I am going to see this year".
The film won the grand jury prize for drama at the independent US festival.
Tia Lessin's and Carl Deal's film Trouble the Water won best US documentary for its portrayal of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
30th anniversary
The audience award for best drama, voted for by festival-goers, went to Jonathan Levine's The Wackness.
The film focuses on the relationship between a teenage marijuana dealer and his pot-smoking psychiatrist - played by Sir Ben Kingsley.
Environmental film Fields of Fuel won the audience prize for best US documentary.
"May we work together to create a green and sustainable planet for our children," said director Josh Tickell.
The festival, launched by Robert Redford as a low-key event for arthouse films in 1978, now attracts Hollywood stars including Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro and Sir Ben Kingsley.
Tom Hanks came for the premiere of The Great Buck Howard, in which he co-stars with his son Colin.
Redford's own daughter Amy made her directorial debut with The Guitar at this year's event.
The festival has gained a reputation for being the place where low-key independent movies are discovered before going on to great things.
Little Miss Sunshine, The Blair Witch Project and Reservoir Dogs are among the films that have used Sundance as a springboard to success.
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