Sundance 2013: Inside the Agency Party Pile-up

This story first appeared in the Jan. 25 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine.

our editor recommends

Sundance 2013: Why Big-Ticket Stars Don't Guarantee Big Sales

Sundance 2013: Inside Jeffrey Katzenberg's $20 Million Park City Getaway

Sunday night at Sundance traditionally is ideal for throwing an industry party because the weekend crowds give way to a smaller, more film-focused group. But this year, there's a lot of competition for partygoers.

WME, which hasn't thrown an official Sundance event in years, is hosting clients and buyers Jan. 20 at Wahso restaurant -- at the same time as the invite-only Main Street events of rivals UTA and CAA.

STORY: Sundance 2013: The Most Buzzed-About Films at Sundance

Jokes Tom Bernard, co-president of Sony Pictures Classics, "All I can say is, I hope there are no movies to buy that night." The dilution could help decrease crowding, but some execs plan to avert the issue by skipping all events.

"We don't spend a lot of time at the parties," says Bill Lee, CEO of Millennium Entertainment. "On Sunday night, we'll be at the Before Midnight screening."