By Judith Orr

PARK CITY, UT (Hollywood Today) 1/20/08 — The Sundance Film Festival put on by actor Robert Redford has always been the premiere event for US Independent Films. Everyone parties, but this year there’s an urgency to actually buy as studios look for films to fill pipelines endangered by the writers strike.

The air is electric at Sundance as celebrities and new and want-to-be filmmakers, actors, and entertainment industry types and hypes crowd streets, gift suites, parties and clubs. Everyone wants to be the first to see the big buzz film or be at the best and most touted party.

“The strike adds an element of uncertainty in terms of how long it will go and how that will affect film product in nine or 12 months,” Jason Constantine, executive vice president of acquisitions for Lionsgate Films told USA Today. “But some of the possible competitiveness generated by the strike may be tempered by what a difficult year it was for a lot of art-house films.”

Last year, Waitress, Once and Away From Her emerged from the festival and became art-house hits. But last year’s Dedication, Joshua and Grace Is Gone were festival darlings that died at the box office, which may temper buying.

Distributors look to acquire films that will be released either later this year or possibly in 2009.

In spite of 21 degree temperatures even the “used to perfect weather” Californians brave the streets and are willing to stand in lines that rival California and New York club lines.

Films such as What Just Happened starring Robert DeNiro and Sean Penn, Be Kind Rewind with Jack Black and Towelhead with Maria Bella will compete for the media spotlight.

Sundance popped its cork for Bottle Shock with Alan Rickman, Bill Pullman, who also has the movie Phoebe in Wonderland at Sundance this year, and the new Captain James Kirk in the upcoming Star Trek movie, Christopher Pine. We caught up with them at a press conference and director Randall Miller said “It is a story that needed to be told.” It tells how a crazy event turned the once sleepy Napa Valley into a $5 billion dollar industry putting out some of the world’s best wines.

At times the streets are as crowded as any LA traffic jam, taking 10 minutes to move one car length, especially at sunset when skiers and snowboarders are leaving the lifts to get back to their digs and change before their serious party hopping in the “Winter Wonderland” begins.

Michael Keaton who directed the Merry Gentlemen was at the Hollywood Life Lounge sponsored by Hennesey where his son was performing in the band. Jack Black, who just had a baby girl, dashed into the Lounge on his way to the Be Kind Rewind party.

Rappers and Rockers from Maroon 5, Will.I.Am, Fifty Cent, and John Legend and many more have been performing at concerts all over town.

Celebrities have enjoyed afterhours parties every night at the Greenhouse on Main and at the Green Door Mansion. “It’s good to be green.”

Among the companies looking to put their products in the hands of the hundreds of actors in attendance are Wow Creations, Main Event Red Carpet, Pure and Natural Celebrity Eco-Retreat, The Green Pavilion and Kari Feinstein with products from eco-friendly hiking boots, video cameras, tasty treats, clothes and beauty treatments. Celebs walking the red carpets here can also get their hair or makeup done. Various liquor companies add to the festivities with Patron, Moet, Hennesey, Belvedere and many more pouring potions so all can stay warmer.