Global recession takes some of the swagger off the Sundance Film Festival.

PARK CITY, UTAH, UNITED STATES (JANUARY 15, 2009) REUTERS -
The 2009 Sundance Film Festival kicked off on Thursday (January
15), minus it's normal glitz, celebrity and swag. On Park City's Main Street,
the biggest "buzz" surrounding the festival, was the lack of
"buzz" itself.
"So far the indication is less press, less buyers, less people
interested, less fru-fru, "explained entertainment journalist Dave
Poland, a Sundance veteran.
Many are blaming the dismal economy as the reason for the slow
start.
"We're hoping for a good Sundance," said local shopkeeper
Tama Ireland. " I know the town is sold out. We're hoping that it is just
a slow start and that it will end well."
"Probably because the economy, not as many people are
coming," said Christina Eastham, also of Park City. "It's kind of
early to tell, but usually it ramps up a little earlier than the kick off day
and it doesn't seem very busy today."

Sundance's 25th Anniversary arrives at a time of great uncertainty in
the indie film market, courtesy of a global recession that has resulted in
several indie companies -- Paramount Vantage, Warner Independent Pictures and
Picturehouse -- shutting down or radically changing their business plan.
Because of it, studios say they'll be taking fewer staff to Sundance, perhaps
as much as 10 percent less.

At his annual presser to open the festival, founder Robert Redford
seemed fine with a lower profile event.
"As you know, it is not meant to be commercial. We don't want to
be restricted to the criteria that is in the main stream right now because
that would cut into the independence. We want to be free of issues like the
bottom line," explained Redford.
"That really hasn't affected us yet," added Sundance Film
Festival director Geoffrey Gilmore. "I mean the festival has sold out,
we're 300,000 dollars (USD) above ticket sales where they were last year,
sponsorship is as solid as it could be. It doesn't mean that the theater's
will be full and the streets may be a bit more empty than they've
been."

The festival itself opened with Thursday night's premiere of the clay
animation movie "Mary and Max," which tells of a 20-year pen pal
friendship between an Australian girl and a New York man. Australian director
Adam Elliot is hopeful people will like his five-year labor of love.
"I've probably used that word 'honor' too many times tonight,
" said Elliot. "But, I can say it is a double honor because they
have never had an Australian film on opening night and they have never had a
fully animated feature for opening night. So, by both those communities we are
very proud and honored."

Sundance organizers say the film is a perfect choice to open the
festival, which remains in its 25th year, a venue for the independent
filmmaker.