Variety's 10 Directors to Watch

Variety's 10 Directors to Watch party in Sundance was scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Monday night. Judging from the crowds that lined up for entry at the dot of seven, that was not a moment too soon.

It was one of those nights that made you wish that the festival had a centralized social registry. Indiewire, Cinetic Media, William Morris Independent, ICM, BenderSpink and Netflix, among others, also chose this evening to get their Park City ya-yas out. Variety had consistency on its side -- we've had its 10 Directors party at Sundance for 10 years -- but there was some stiff blowout competition.

Variety publisher Charlie Koones, Heather Graham
and her "Adrift in Manhattan" helmer Alfredo de Villa

As it turned out, people behaved as if the only other thing angling for their attention was a "Murder, She Wrote" rerun. By 7:30, the ballroom was at capacity.

Part of the credit, to be fair, goes to the food; five flavors of macaroni and cheese and a dim sum bar go a long way toward luring festgoers who don't often get the opportunity to consume a full meal. However, in a Sundance party scene often ruled by corporate sponsorship, it's also one of the events reliably dominated by filmmakers (eight of the 10 DTW, "Zoo" director Robinson Devor), industry figures like Lakeshore Entertainment's David Dinerstein and Endeavor partner Phil Raskind, as well as actors John Cusack and Heather Graham.

"Grace is Gone" producer-star John Cusack,
who came out to support "Grace is Gone"
helmer and DTW James C. Strouse

By 9 p.m, the lights were on and people were still reluctant to head back down the mountain. "If it were five years ago," said helmer and party straggler Doug Liman, "this would be the kind of party that I'd be licking the back of my hand to get me and five of my friends in." (D. Harris, S. Swart)