National debt. Fiscal policy. Medicare. Social Security.

Not the sort of topics you would expect to draw crowds for a night at the movies, but Thursday's premiere of "I.O.U.S.A." sold out at the Century Stadium 16 in Ventura, through both purchased and giveaway tickets.

People sat in the front row and on the stairs of the 300-seat auditorium to see the documentary about the federal debt, Americans' lack of knowledge about the nation's spending habits and the need for solutions.

"I.O.U.S.A." manages to portray those issues in compelling fashion, while educating people with engaging graphics. The film, shown Thursday in 358 theaters nationwide, was followed by an expert panel discussion of the problem and possible solutions.

As viewers searched for seats before the premiere, the screen showed a ticker counting down to the start of the film and counting up the "nation's unfunded liabilities" to more than $55.25 trillion. At the end of the 85-minute film, viewers learned that $85 million was added to the national debt during the time it took to watch the documentary.

"When you hear about our national debt — people are spending more than what they're making — we've got to find a way to get out of that," said Mark Paralitici of Oxnard. Paralitici, who works with World Financial Group, said he was excited to see the movie after researching it online. He called the film "very, very informative."

"It was a lot better than I expected it to be," he said.

Paralitici liked that the film avoided being partisan, instead advocating bipartisan work.

John Bailey, also with World Financial Group, said there should be a shorter version of the film that could be shown in high schools.

"It's very timely," he said. "This message should go out very quickly to everyone."

After its theatrical run, the film is expected to be aired on TV in January, followed with the distribution of free DVDs.

Financial adviser David Kikuchi of Camarillo said he was at the premiere to learn and listen to the panel of speakers, who were taped at the conclusion of the film on the East Coast and appeared in a time-delayed presentation.

The panel included Warren Buffett, chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway; Pete Peterson, senior chairman of The Blackstone Group and chairman of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation; Dave Walker, president and chief executive of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation and former U.S. comptroller general; William Niskanen, chairman of the CATO Institute; and Bill Novelli, chief executive of the AARP.

Though the discussion was civil, it was apparent the panelists didn't agree on everything. Buffett asserted that the American economy would continue to grow, enlarging the "pie" for everyone. Walker argued that a growing gross domestic product won't cure a growing federal debt, while Novelli opposed suggestions that Social Security should be privatized.

Kikuchi noted that panels often are made up of people with different motives.

"You can't take it for gospel," he said. "You just have to listen." He wanted to make his own interpretation of the situation after listening.

In the film, Walker outlines what he defines as four major deficits that are draining the United States: the federal deficit; the saving deficit as people spend more than they earn; the trade deficit; and a leadership deficit, because not enough has been done to address the other three.

The message was that the nation's current fiscal policy is unsustainable.

The Peterson Foundation, which Walker heads, has purchased and is distributing "I.O.U.S.A." to spread that position.

"Most Americans don't realize how credit-oriented they are," said Christina Klug of Oxnard. "People are going to realize this debt is going to have them in this chokehold they can't get out of."

There may be a growing receptivity to concerns about the national debt, said Addison Wiggin, executive producer of the film.

Wiggin said he has seen people changing their habits in response to very basic things, such as high gas prices and declining home values. He hopes the film will get people thinking about what they should be expecting from the federal government and elected officials when it comes to national spending habits.

Bob Byrnes of Thousand Oaks and Carol Lindberg of Ventura, whose applause could be heard in support of Walker's points during the film and panel discussion, said everyone should see the film.

Byrnes said people need to be aware of the seriousness of the situation — that spending more than you make leads to being broke.

Lindberg pointed to California as being in that situation right now.

She said it is important to empower politicians to "make difficult decisions, make the right decisions, to put the country back on track."