HOLLYWOOD - The Sundance Film Festival got off to a slow start Thursday as the lack of film big wigs was marked by vacant parking spaces and late-afternoon arrivals to Park City, Utah.
The festival opened Thursday with Christine Lahti's directorial debut in "My First Mister," but the film was picked up by Paramount Classics long ago, which could be the reason behind the late arrivals by studio execs, Variety reports.
Word is that the soft economy will also contribute to fewer films being picked up at this year's annual event, which serves as a platform for independent filmmakers to showcase their projects for possible acquisition.
Although the bash is off to a seemingly slow start, the streets of Park City are expected to be filled with film types within the next 24 hours as other films are rolled out for the first time.
The festival closes Jan. 28.