Movies

Sundance is moving to one of 3 cities. Here’s what we know about their bids

BBG News

For the upcoming 2027 edition of the Sundance Film Festival, there’s been speculation about its location. The Sundance Institute is anticipated to reveal their decision on the new host city by early spring, with Boulder, Colorado, Cincinnati, and a joint Salt Lake City and Park City, Utah, being the final contenders.

As a passionate cinephile, I can’t help but feel that this year signifies a significant turning point in the storied history of Sundance Film Festival, which has been a cornerstone of independent cinema for over four decades. Aspiring filmmakers and an industry thirsty for fresh talent are flocking to a secluded mountain ski resort town, eager to uncover hidden gems and perhaps be unearthed themselves in the process.

As a devoted festival-goer, I can’t help but ponder about the balancing act that lies ahead for this beloved event: Navigating the dynamic shifts while preserving that unique, elusive essence that sets it apart and makes it so extraordinary.

For five years now, the Sundance Film Festival has been going through a phase of transformation, following the upheaval caused by the pandemic in 2020 as it disrupted institutions and viewer habits. As stated by festival director Eugene Hernandez via email, every passing year has felt distinctive, extraordinary, and unlike any other, and this trend will continue with the move to a new location in 2027.

In simple terms, Hernandez stated that regardless of where the Festival takes place in 2027 – whether it’s Boulder, Cincinnati, or Salt Lake – Sundance remains unchanged and unique in its essence. This year, following the recent tragedies in Los Angeles, will be extraordinary, he said. As our community moves forward, next year’s festival, which will mark the final year based in Park City, promises to be a memorable one that should not be missed.

The field of contenders was reduced from six to three, as Atlanta, Louisville, Kentucky, and Santa Fe, New Mexico, were eliminated from consideration.

Sundance will be Sundance wherever we go.

— Eugene Hernandez, director of the Sundance Film Festival

The press release stated that when the three potential host cities were named, factors such as their adherence to principles of ethics and equality, their infrastructure, and their ability to accommodate the Festival were taken into account. Moreover, it was important that they showed how they would nurture the diverse Sundance community and motivate future independent filmmakers.

Organizing a complex event such as Sundance might initially appear more trouble than it’s worth, but understanding its benefits for prospective host cities – boosting cultural standing and generating income – makes the effort seem worthwhile.

2024 Sundance Festival’s economic impact report revealed that a staggering total of over 361,000 people attended, either in person or online. Among these, about 72,840 were unique on-site attendees, with around 24,200 hailing from outside the state. These out-of-state guests are estimated to have spent a whopping $106.4 million within Utah during the festival period. The event also created around 1,730 jobs for local residents, generating $69.7 million in wages and yielding $13.8 million in state and local taxes.

Reaching out to local bidding agents in every city, I’d like to share some thoughts on what the potential future might hold for Sundance.

Boulder

As a film enthusiast, I proudly call Boulder home – a place that not only houses the University of Colorado but also plays host to the Boulder International Film Festival. This city buzzes with an energetic arts community, boasting the third-highest number of professional artists per capita in the nation, as recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts.

In Boulder, a Sundance event might showcase the historic Art Deco Boulder Theater (opened in 1936) and Macky Auditorium on the campus, along with several other venues scattered throughout town. Accommodation-wise, there are already multiple hotels, some currently undergoing expansion. Notably, Boulder is quite near Denver as well.

Bruce Borowsky, Boulder County’s film commissioner, stated, “I believe we offer an atmosphere that closely resembles what the original creators envisioned for Sundance – a setting close to nature and a political climate conducive to storytelling that isn’t typically mainstream. We are fortunate to have a forward-thinking and inclusive community here, which aligns well with two key values of Sundance.

As a passionate cinephile, I take immense pride in sharing that the vibrant city of Boulder boasts a rich heritage steeped in social activism. In fact, it was Boulder who paved the way in 1975 by issuing the first legal same-sex marriage license within the United States.

Borowsky mentioned, “In discussions about politics, I believe that the political climate of Boulder and Colorado, as a whole, aligns more closely with the political ideals that the creators of Sundance initially envisioned for their festival. The key concept here is inclusivity.

Borowsky admitted that, to start with, there would likely be individuals who are hesitant about the idea of a Sundance taking place anywhere other than its traditional location.

As a keen admirer, I can anticipate that some individuals might feel dismayed if Boulder were to secure the bid and leave Park City. Yet, I am convinced that once these people visit Boulder for the first time, their enthusiasm for our unique town would be uncontainable!

Salt Lake City

1) During its festivals, Salt Lake City currently hosts a multitude of Sundance events. Moreover, this city has been selected to organize the 2034 Winter Olympics, implying more investments in the city’s infrastructure down the line.

Uniting participants from Salt Lake City, Park City, Salt Lake County, Summit County, and the state of Utah, the joint proposal by Salt Lake City and Park City aims to leverage its decades-long history as the venue for the festival, while simultaneously seeking innovative approaches to enhance attendees’ experiences.

Lindsey Nikola, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall’s deputy chief of staff, stated, “It’s been an amazing chance for us to envision the future of Sundance in this location. The possibilities are immense, and we’ve found ourselves invigorated by what lies ahead. We’ve collaborated closely to pool our best assets and brainstorm collectively to demonstrate how much Sundance matters to us and how eager we are to keep them here.

Nikola contends that while some perceive the state politics of Utah, such as debated restrictions on transgender public restrooms, as contrasting with Sundance’s beliefs, it is equally plausible to argue that Sundance, in its own way, has influenced and shaped the state as much as the state has affected Sundance.

Nikola expressed his belief that one of art’s strongest qualities lies in its capacity to drive advancement through novel concepts. However, he pointed out that progress often gets trapped in a repetitive loop. He emphasized the significance of Sundance, which brings a harmonious blend of innovation and development to Utah. One crucial function of this festival within our community is serving as a platform for self-expression. Over the past 40 years, the influence of Sundance on Utah’s culture has been palpable. The tales that Sundance filmmakers present and delve into are deeply impactful to Utah residents and its people as a whole.

The “Two Towns, One Adventure” concept for the joint Salt Lake City/Park City bid involves a focus on the idea of “Street to Street,” where frequent shuttles will connect the two towns and emphasize how Salt Lake City could emulate the pedestrian-friendly layout of Park City’s main street.

In downtown Salt Lake City, the Capital Theater, distinct from the Eccles Theatre in Park City, and also the Eccles Theater, along with Abravanel Hall (where the Utah Symphony resides), the Grand Theatre at Salt Lake Community College, and certain local venues that have previously been utilized by the festival, such as the Rose Wagner Center, would all be significant locations.

Nikola mentioned, “Sundance has expanded dramatically from its humble beginnings as a smaller film festival to become one of the most significant film festivals globally.” As it’s grown, so have its requirements. It seems they recognized these needs and decided to explore ways to meet them. We’re thrilled to be collaborating with them in envisioning what this transformation might look like right here. We understand that the festival’s rich history in Utah is one of its greatest assets, yet it’s equally important to continue innovating, which is exactly what we’re doing with this bid proposal.

Cincinnati

Choosing Cincinnati as the host city might significantly alter the familiar Sundance Festival experience. There’s a strong case to be made for trying something completely fresh and unique, perhaps with a different climate, landscape, and even time zone.

However, this doesn’t imply that Ohio and Park City don’t have something in common. In fact, much of the Cincinnati festival atmosphere is found in a historical district called Over-the-Rhine.

Kristen Schlotman, president and CEO of Film Cincinnati, said that while you might think of Cincinnati as a large city, it can feel more intimate, friendly, and connected, similar to a small town like Park City, when you’re in the neighborhood of Over-the-Rhine. She also pointed out that the stores and eateries along Race Street share some resemblance with the vibe of Park City’s Main Street.

For quite some time, Cincinnati has been a bustling location for film production. A variety of films like Todd Haynes’ “Carol,” Luca Guadagnino’s “Bones and All,” David Gordon Green’s “Nutcrackers,” Jeff Nichols’ “The Bikeriders,” and Kelly Reichardt’s upcoming “The Mastermind” have all been filmed there.

When I learned in April that Sundance was seeking a new host city, it struck me instantly: ‘Wow, Over-the-Rhine could be an ideal fit for this event!’ After all, you have a city with a vibrant film scene but without a major festival. It seems like a fantastic chance to bring these two elements together.

As a potential participant, I’ve learned about several possible locations for the upcoming festival. Among them, the historical Cincinnati Music Hall, the Emory Theatre, which is currently undergoing renovations, the refurbished Memorial Hall from 2016, and a network of local art houses.

For nearly three decades, Schlotman has visited Sundance, both frequently and occasionally. Over this time, she has gained an understanding of its operations as well as identified potential areas that could benefit from enhancements, in her opinion.

Scholotman mentioned, “If you’ve been to the festival, you have a general idea of how it functions, its structure, and its constraints. Given this understanding, I was thrilled about submitting a bid for Cincinnati because if you’ve experienced it, then you can imagine and propose ideas for potential improvements.

According to Schlotman, he felt hopeful about the alignment of Ohio’s local politics with that of Sundance.

According to Schlotman, “I will share with you, even the governor recognizes the cultural significance of a festival like this being held here and its positive impact on Ohio. Cincinnati’s emphasis on the arts has helped create a more diverse political landscape for Ohio, making it a ‘purple state’. The focus on the arts has kept political conflicts at bay, which is something we are incredibly proud of and continue to invest in, as both a city and a state. Political concerns or potential interference have never been an issue in Cincinnati.

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2025-01-24 14:34

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