The Weinstein Co. has acquired U.S. distribution rights to John Wells’ directorial debut, “The Company Men.” A release is planned for later in the year.

The downsizing drama, which was inspired by the experiences of one of Wells’ in-laws, had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January. The deal, which includes a mid seven-figure P&A commitment, was brokered by David Glasser and Peter Lawson of the Weinstein Company and CAA, which also set up financing for the film.

Memories of Sundance may be fading away, but deals for many of its titles are only beginning to gear up. As overnight film-fest bidding wars become an endangered species, the indie film market is allowing buyers to take their sweet time choosing a higher quality level of film, with more coastal execs screening pics to be sure they’re the right fit.

It’s worth noting that last year’s biggest deal (and biggest hit) “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire,” wrapped its Lionsgate distribution pact a week after Sundance ended. The 2010 iteration’s Sunday close had no effect on continuing dealmaking.

“The Company Men” stars Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones and Chris Cooper were communing with first-time director John Wells (who, we heard, put up his own money to fund the movie) at the Yard Friday night (or, technically, Saturday morning). Despite the movie’s grim subject matter — the effects of layoffs on three men at different career stages at a Boston shipyard manufacturing company — partiers were dependably upbeat.

Affleck managed a time-bending feat by contributing to the Haiti telethon in L.A. before racing to Van Nuys airport, flying up to SLC and somehow blazing a trail through the falling snow to reach Park City in time for the premiere’s post-screening Q&A at the Eccles Theatre.

Co-star Rosemarie DeWitt mingled with Tom Arnold, Ron Livingston and Harvey Weinstein, as ill-fitting Sundance fixture Paris Hilton showed up late-night with real BFF Doug Reinhardt. Probably just a coincidence, but this seemed to trigger the party being ejected to next door as the DJ lost the crowd with another “Don’t Stop Believin’” remix.