The opening film at the Sundance Film Festival is a claymation film about a friendship between a chubby, lonely 8-year-old Australian girl and a 44-year-old obese Jewish man who suffers from Asperger's Syndrome. The opening film at the Slamdance Film Festival is a horror-comedy about zombies and graverobbers.

In comparing premieres, you can see why Slamdance takes pride in being the premier alternate film festival that's independent from its slightly stuffier father, Sundance.

"I've been to Park City a couple of times," said Larry Fessenden, who produces and stars in the Slamdance opening film, "I Sell The Dead." "I want to make it clear -- I've never been invited to Sundance."

"I Sell The Dead" is a quirky 85-minute film written and directed by Glenn McQuaid. Starring Fessenden and "Lord of the Rings" and "Lost" star Dominic Monaghan, the film details the adventures of two graverobbers in the 18th century who find in some graves more than they bargained for. Ron Perlman, best known for his lead performance in the "Hellboy' film franchise, is also featured.

"I'm over the moon and very honored" to be chosen as the opening-night film of Slamdance, McQuaid said. While he wants to be taken seriously as a filmmaker, his first film "doesn't take itself too seriously."

Yet McQuaid was able to convince experienced actors like Monaghan, Fessenden and Perlman to join the cast. "It was a huge honor for me to step on the set with these actors," he said.

Monaghan, who will star as a mutant in this summer's much-anticipated film "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" with Hugh Jackman, said he never makes decisions on films based on money, but always based on the script, fellow actors and the director.

"I found it to have a very unique voice," Monaghan said. "I was just charmed by it. When I found out Ron Perlman would be involved, it was an easy decision."

The innovative hybrid of horror and comedy delighted Slamdance programmers, said Drea Clark, executive director and head of feature programming. "It's really representative of what Slamdance is about," she said. "It reflects our spirit so well. It doesn't seem art-directed to death, and it still has a vitality. It's fresh."

Fessenden, who is a Slamdance alum, said he was proud to have his latest work screened there. "I have an affection for Slamdance," he said. "The rogue, bastard son of Sundance."