Movies

Sundance Film Festival Moving to Colorado After 40 Years in Utah

BBG News

Following a 12-month long quest, the Sundance Film Festival declared on Thursday that its upcoming location will be Boulder, Colorado. This shift means Sundance will remain nestled in the mountains, but it will no longer be based in Park City, the Utah ski resort town that had been the picturesque snowy setting for the festival for many decades.

40 years on, festival organizers found that Park City could no longer accommodate the growing Sundance Film Festival, as it lacked suitable theaters or reasonably priced housing for its continuation as one of North America’s largest movie events. After careful consideration, they shortlisted three potential locations: Salt Lake City (with a smaller footprint in Park City), Cincinnati, and Boulder.

Organizers have chosen Boulder because it offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, small-town ambiance, and an active community that perfectly suits Sundance’s vision for its upcoming years. This location provides an ideal balance between serene surroundings and community engagement.

Amanda Kelso, acting head of the Sundance Institute, stated during an interview on Thursday from Boulder: “Boulder is known for technology, education, arts, and mountains. With a population of 100,000, larger than Park City, it provides us room to grow.

Just prior to revealing their relocation, Ebs Burnough (Sundance Institute board chair), Eugene Hernandez (festival director and programming head) held a conversation. The move was praised by local authorities who had played a role in attracting Sundance with $34 million in tax incentives over a decade.

In Colorado, Governor Jared Polis emphasized that the arts and film industry are crucial for our economy, providing jobs and significantly enriching our vibrant cultural landscape, as stated by him.

A changed endorsed by Sundance founder Robert Redford

Moving from Park City to Boulder signifies that Sundance will continue to reside at high altitude but will no longer be part of an extravagant ski resort town. The city of Boulder, situated a mile above sea level in the Rockies’ foothills, also preserves a feel of nearby nature, which was emphasized as a key consideration in this relocation. Additionally, Boulder offers a four-block pedestrian zone on Pearl Street, with neighboring cinemas, providing a similar bustling downtown atmosphere comparable to Park City’s Main Street.

Established in 1981 by Robert Redford, the Sundance Institute was designed as a refuge from Hollywood, with the aim of nurturing independent cinematic voices. In 1984, the institute assumed control over the Sundance Film Festival, yet its underlying mission – empowering budding filmmakers through workshops and training programs – remained constant throughout the year, separate from the festival.

In his younger days at the University of Colorado, Boulder, the now 88-year-old Redford granted his approval for this project.

In a statement, Redford expressed heartfelt thanks to Park City, Utah, and everyone within the Utah community who contributed to building the organization. He emphasized that what they’ve built together is exceptionally unique and significant. Recognizing that change is an inherent part of life, he stressed the importance of continuous evolution and growth for their ongoing success.

How Sundance chose its new home

The festival incorporated “ethics and fairness” as one of its evaluation factors, causing some to question the potential impact of local politics on Sundance’s decision, given its focus on inclusivity. At present, Republican Governor Spencer Cox of Utah is considering a bill that would prohibit the display of specific flags at schools and public buildings, including the LGBTQ pride flag.

The organizers stated that Boulder’s welcoming atmosphere mirrors the ethos, or fundamental character, that the Sundance Film Festival has established in Park City.

18 months ago, this journey began, and for the last 40 years, we’ve been based in Utah. As Burnough stated on Thursday, politics wasn’t the driving force behind this process; rather, it was an organic evolution. In simpler terms, the decision-making didn’t revolve around which bill was being proposed or potentially signed into law. Instead, the focus was on the natural progression and development of the process itself.

As the deadline for the existing contract approached in April 2024, the search for a replacement city to host events intensified. The preliminary list of six potential candidates, which also encompassed Atlanta, Louisville from Kentucky, and Santa Fe in New Mexico, was announced at this time.

What Sundance has meant for Park City, and the film world

Before packing up, Sundance will have one last edition in Park City in January 2026.

Hernandez stated, “No matter where the Sundance Film Festival takes place, it’s always the Sundance Film Festival at heart. Our unwavering commitment remains the same, which is our mission. This festival is about unearthing talent from all corners of the globe. What makes Boulder intriguing is that it offers us a chance to grow and expand.

Over time, Sundance in Park City transformed into a leading marketplace for American films, attracting Hollywood executives and celebrities dressed in parkas to the Wasatch mountains every January. It has been instrumental in kick-starting many filmmakers’ careers, such as Steven Soderbergh (“Sex, Lies and Videotape”) and Ryan Coogler (“Fruitvale Station”). In 2022, Sundance achieved its first win for best picture with “CODA.

2024 saw a significant boost for Utah and Park City’s economy due to Sundance Festival. The event attracted approximately 72,840 attendees on-site, with around 24,200 of those coming from outside the state. As per the festival’s economic impact report, these out-of-state visitors collectively spent an estimated $106.4 million within Utah during the festival period. The total economic impact was projected to be around $132 million, generating 1,730 job opportunities for local residents and paying out $69.7 million in wages to them.

However, the festival not only encountered conflicts with the primary revenue generators in Park City – the ski resorts – as attendees booked hotels and left the ski slopes almost deserted for two weeks during the busiest ski season. For some local businesses, it was a prosperous period, but for others, it presented challenges. The escalating rental costs due to increased demand during the 10-day festival became a significant factor for visitors planning their attendance.

As a passionate film enthusiast, I’ve always cherished the magic of Sundance Film Festival in Utah. Although Cox suggested that Sundance should remain here, he also reassured us that our state’s economy would still thrive even without this esteemed event gracing our landscapes.

Each of the leading candidates allocated millions of dollars as incentives to attract a wealthy festival to their city. Cincinnati earmarked $2.5 million for Sundance and an additional $2.5 million if it was selected. Salt Lake City proposed offering Sundance $3.5 million to remain in Utah.

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2025-03-27 22:06

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