Cross-cutting is the technique of editing mostly used in films to illustrate two different bits of action from seperate locations happening at the same time. The camera cuts away from one portion of action to another - usually appearing to be simultaneouslyplayed alongside each other.
Cross-cutting regularly features an uneasy or nervous element to it. Suspense is grown by the creation of expectation leaving the viewer hoping that it will eventually be explained. Parallels are caused by the technique because of the narative action that is happening in more than one place at round about the same time.
The best example for a piece of cross-cutting though is when a phone call is on screen. Cross-cutting is almost always featured during a phone call scene - this is so the viewer has the opportunity to see both of the characters' reactions after what the have just heard on the other side of the phone.
Here is an example of cross-cutting from 1972's, The Godfather.
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