Austin, Mar 12 (IANS): Veteran filmmaker Steven Spielberg's movie "Ready Player One" had a world premiere here, but not before facing technical difficulties drawing boos from the crowd.

After being announced as the secret screening at this year's SXSW Film Festival, Spielberg's film was hit with technical difficulties during its world premiere on Sunday night. About 100 minutes into the film, the sound went out, drawing boos and jeers from the Paramount Theater crowd here, reports variety.com.

The projectionist restarted the movie, which had been paused during a climatic scene, but the sound system failed again. After a third, successful attempt, the sold-out crowd burst into applause.

Spielberg, who received a standing ovation at the film's conclusion, asked the audience not to reveal any spoilers beforehand.

"This is not a film we made. This is a movie," he said.

Speaking on the glitches, he said: "This is perhaps the greatest anxiety attack I've ever had."

Based on Ernest Cline's 2011 novel, "Ready Player One" features Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn and Mark Rylance.