Sundance 2012 has officially begun.

On Thursday, Sundance found Robert Redford was joined by executive director Keri Putnam and programmer John Cooper at the legendary Egyptian Theater, where they held a news conference.

We can start with the hard times we're living in . . . but the happy thing is that here, for this week, we're going to see work from artists, even though their work might be reflective of these hard times, there is no paralysis here, Redford told the crowd of journalists.

As previously announced, this year's Sundance will feature more than 110 films spread across four cities.

Redford's comment on Thursday refers to the majority of films that feature themes of the economy, marriage and family.

Blythe Danner, Melanie Lynskey, Sara Chase and filmmaker Todd Louiso were among the first celebrities to arrive for day one of the film festival.

Michael Cera, Amanda Seyfried, Lou Diamond Phillips, Sean Penn, Kate Bosworth and John Krasinski are expected to arrive in the next few days.

The 2012 Sundance Film Festival is scheduled to run from Jan. 19 to 29.

Scroll down for highlights from Day One.

Robert Redford
Robert Redford speaks at the opening news conference at the Egyptian Theatre during the first day of the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah January 19, 2012. REUTERS
Robert Redford
Robert Redford speaks at the opening news conference at the Egyptian Theatre during the first day of the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah January 19, 2012. REUTERS
Sundance
Festival director John Cooper (L), executive director Keri Putnam (C) and Robert Redford attend the opening news conference at the Egyptian Theatre during the first day of the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah January 19, 2012. REUTERS
Sara Chase
Cast member Sara Chase arrives for the opening night premiere of the film "Hello I Must Be Going" on the first day of the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah January 19, 2012. REUTERS
Blythe Danner
Cast member Blythe Danner arrives for the opening night premiere of the film "Hello I Must Be Going" on the first day of the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah January 19, 2012. REUTERS
Sundance
Cast members Blythe Danner (L-R), Melanie Lynskey, Christopher Abbott and Sara Chase arrive for the opening night premiere of the film "Hello I Must Be Going" on the first day of the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah January 19, 2012. REUTERS
Todd Louiso
Director Todd Louiso arrives for the opening night premiere of the film "Hello I Must Be Going" on the first day of the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah January 19, 2012. REUTERS
Robert Redford Robert Redford Robert Redford