Oscar voters have a strong preference for dramas, but at the Toronto International Film Festival, there was a lack of dramas on screen as many struggled to find distribution. The festival, known as a key stop for Hollywood awards, opened with the Charles Darwin drama "Creation" seeking a US distributor. Over 330 films were shown during the 10-day festival, with about a third still lacking distribution. The recession has caused audiences to prefer escapist fantasies and comedies, leaving serious dramas struggling to find distributors. According to industry insiders, fans of quality dramas still exist and the genre is not dead. They believe the problem lies more in marketing and cost rather than the creative content itself. However, creating successful movies like "No Country for Old Men" from 2007, which won an Oscar for best film, is becoming increasingly challenging. Director Jon Amiel, whose film "Creation" depicts Charles Darwin's struggles with evolution in the 1850s, referred to "drama" as the new taboo term in Hollywood. Amiel noted that even indie distributors are not interested in films about obscure historical figures like a deceased, bald Englishman. There are numerous movies that American viewers are unlikely to watch, as evidenced by declining box office numbers. Two successful art house films from the previous summer were "The Hurt Locker," which made $12 million, and "(500) Days of Summer," which earned approximately $29 million. Entertainment attorney Steven Beer noted a prevailing cautious attitude towards dramas in the current market. However, industry professionals believe that dramas can still attract audiences and generate profits. The crucial factor is developing a suitable production and marketing strategy that aligns with the current movie industry landscape. Often, these strategies involve grassroots marketing campaigns that focus on specific demographics, such as fans of science and historical dramas for a film like "Creation." Additionally, production costs need to decrease to accommodate the decreased box office revenue and declining DVD sales, which have been affected by the rise of alternative forms of home entertainment. Despite the challenges, these types of films have always faced difficulties and will continue to do so. Tom Ortenberg, president of theatrical films at The Weinstein Co., acknowledges that the current economic climate is challenging and models need to change. David Poland of MovieCityNews.com believes that the decline in DVD sales has made distributors hesitant to support expensive dramas, although there is still demand for the genre. Distributors are now more selective when considering dramas, which may impact the potential for a breakthrough film like "Slumdog" at Toronto 2009. Tom Bernard, co-president of Sony Pictures Classics, agrees that buyers at Toronto are more cautious now than in the past.