Sun Valley Film Festival Shifts From March to December (EXCLUSIVE)

As a lifelong cinephile who has attended countless film festivals worldwide, I must say that the Sun Valley Film Festival‘s decision to shift its dates to December is nothing short of inspired. This move not only positions the festival as a significant player on the awards circuit but also offers independent filmmakers an invaluable platform during the busy screening season.


Starting from the year 2025, the Sun Valley Film Festival is planning to relocate from March to December. This change aims to position the festival as a significant “must-visit” event during the awards season.

The festival is planning a unique two-day event, the SVFF Winter Screening Series, to signal the change in dates, which will take place on the 6th and 7th of December.

Teddy Grennan, the executive director, mentioned that when they first began in 2012, they chose to hold the Festival during springtime to boost tourism during a typically quieter period. The success of our Winter Screening Series and a more competitive festival scene in the spring led us to recognize a chance to cater to the film industry’s needs and exhibit top-tier films to discerning and impactful audiences, such as Sun Valley-based guild and AMPAS members, ahead of award season voting.

Sean Baker’s movie “The Florida Project” was showcased as part of their Winter Screening Series in early December. Baker noted that the screening provided a platform for the film amidst a crowded schedule of screenings, stating that many independent filmmakers would also value such an opportunity. He expressed fondness for the Sun Valley Film Festival, having received their Vision Award in 2013. Since then, he has been pleased to witness the festival’s growth, and believes that their shift to December will be advantageous for the film community.

Candice Pate, the festival director, stated, “For years, Sun Valley has been renowned for its strong connections with Hollywood, while also celebrating our distinctive mountain lifestyle. This unique blend has given the Sun Valley Film Festival a laid-back and joyful atmosphere that sets it apart. By moving the festival to the stunning winter season in this ski resort, which is hosting other major events like the World Cup, we can increase the festival’s prestige and showcase the finest of awards season contenders to our discerning audience of film enthusiasts.

This year, the Sun Valley Film Festival’s Winter Screening Series is scheduled for December 6th and 7th – a week prior to when Academy Award nominees will be determined on December 9th.

In the previous year, we featured “The Color Purple” and Ridley Scott’s “Napoleon”. Previous winter screenings have showcased films like “Free Solo”, a National Geographic Documentary Film that later won the 2019 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

Chris Albert, who used to be in charge of marketing and communications at National Geographic, stated that “For over a decade, the Sun Valley Film Festival has been an exceptional ally. Their audience is ideally composed of press, influencers, and Academy Award voters, all while prioritizing film and film enthusiasts. Out of the four Oscar-nominated documentary campaigns I managed at National Geographic, all screened at Sun Valley. In truth, I view them as a source of good fortune! With this new schedule, I would certainly recommend Sun Valley as a vital stop for contenders aiming for awards.

The organization plans to carry on its Monthly Movie event series intended for local viewers, in addition to a variety of year-long programs and workshops like Junior Film, Chat Sessions, and the Screenwriting Residency.

Passes and tickets to 2024 Winter Screening Series will go on sale later this year.

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2024-09-17 21:16