A Canadian comedic drama featuring Montreal’s Jay Baruchel has been chosen to kick off the alternative Slamdance Film Festival.

“Real Time,” written and directed by Canadian Film Centre graduate Randall Cole, stars Baruchel (“Undeclared,” “Knocked Up”) as a compulsive gambler given one hour to live. Veteran actor Randy Quaid plays the hit man who gives him the temporary reprieve.

The 14th annual Slamdance Fest features 29 movies and will be held Jan. 17 to 25, running concurrent with the Sundance Film Festival. Like Sundance, Slamdance will take place in Park City, Utah.

Only first-time directors can submit feature films, which must have budgets under $1 million to be eligible.

andPOP