Sundance Moving to Boulder, Colorado in 2027

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Beginning in 2027, the Sundance Film Festival will move from its longtime home in Park City, Utah to Boulder, Colorado. After a thorough search for a new location, festival organizers agreed to a 10-year contract with city officials in Boulder. In the end, Boulder outshone two other finalists – Cincinnati, Ohio and Salt Lake City and Park City – to secure the festival’s relocation.

The festival organizers chose Boulder for several reasons. They pointed out that it’s both a university town and a technological center, similar to how Sundance has marketed itself as a venue to enjoy outstanding films amidst stunning mountain scenery.

The festival team picked Boulder because it’s both a college city and a tech hub. They also loved that it looks beautiful naturally, just like Sundance, which is famous for its movie screenings against a picturesque mountain setting.

Amanda Kelso, the acting CEO of Sundance Institute, mentioned that they consider one of Robert Redford’s original ideas: creating an event with a distinct feeling of location and environment. As you stroll around [Boulder], you’ll notice the stunning Flat Iron Mountain Range, which contributes to a unique atmosphere. This means that as you move from theater to theater, you can absorb what you’ve just seen while also connecting with nature.

The city is often referred to as “The People’s Republic of Boulder,” a title given due to its distinctive personality, forward-thinking ideals, and active community involvement. It’s recognized for being environmentally conscious and welcoming towards artists and alternative cultures.

Nevertheless, the shift to Boulder marks a fresh and unpredictable chapter for the film festival. To be clear, Park City has long been associated with Sundance, hosting it since 1985. Throughout these years, it has played host to the world premieres of films such as “Reservoir Dogs,” “Napoleon Dynamite,” “Sex, Lies and Videotape,” and “Little Miss Sunshine.” These cinematic releases sparked the independent film movement of the ’90s and early 2000s, reshaping the movie industry by making it more daring, provocative, and subversive.

However, the genre Sundance typically showcases has faced challenges during the global pandemic and a protracted decline in box office sales. The 2024 festival failed to attract the buzzworthy new films that previously propelled their launches. While some movies such as the horror film “Together” and the historical drama “Train Dreams” were sold at Sundance, it has taken several months for other films to secure distribution. This isn’t just a reflection of the tougher financial landscape for releasing these types of movies in cinemas. It also indicates that streaming platforms like Netflix, which was once a significant buyer at film festivals, have become more frugal with their acquisition spending.

Concurrently, the festival’s bond with the town has faced some strains. Movie industry professionals and agents have expressed irritation over the expensive logistics of sending personnel to Park City, while some locals have grown weary of the swarm of fans and media into their quaint village. Moreover, the festival taking place during the peak ski season, a significant income generator for the community, has added to the friction.

Viewing it from Sundance’s standpoint, the festival faced challenges in locating suitable venues for filmmakers to exhibit their work. The pandemic exacerbated these issues as one theater went bankrupt and another, the Redstone, was transformed into a high-end venue with fewer seats. This transformation left Park City playing a significantly reduced role, only hosting a limited number of events. Under this proposed plan, Salt Lake City would have emerged as the festival’s primary center.

Come April 2024, I found myself excitedly joining the chorus of supporters for The Sundance Institute, as they shared their intention to explore potential new homes within the United States once their contract with Park City ended in 2026. A whopping 100 cities and towns raised their hands, expressing interest, and among these, 13 officially submitted proposals. After a series of rigorous rounds, we narrowed it down to three finalists – Cincinnati, Ohio being one of them, with another proposal aiming to keep Sundance in Utah.

Sundance established a review committee to examine possible future headquarters sites. This committee included Amy Redford, daughter of the festival’s founder Robert Redford. During their assessment, they scrutinized the infrastructure and event suitability of each location. Ultimately, the committee presented its suggestions to Sundance’s board, who made their decision on Wednesday.

Robert Redford, in a statement, expressed his appreciation towards Utah and described the relocation of the organization as a crucial action. He stated, “What we’ve built here is exceptionally unique and significant.” Recognizing that change is an unavoidable aspect, he emphasized the importance of adaptation and progression, which has been key to our longevity. This transition will secure the festival’s commitment to taking risks, nurturing creative storytellers, promoting independence, and engaging and enlightening audiences. I am thankful for the Boulder community’s backing, and I eagerly anticipate what lies ahead for the festival in its new location.

The heart of Boulder’s downtown area will transform into the main focus of the upcoming festival, as the city’s various theaters and venues will be hosting screenings and events. Additionally, a pedestrian-exclusive street known as Pearl Street is anticipated to be bustling with activity. The organizers have also mentioned plans to utilize certain areas on the University of Colorado Boulder campus. They are collaborating with the city to improve their infrastructure and accommodations. The leaders of Sundance anticipate that Boulder will boast more theaters and venues compared to Park City.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis expressed his excitement about welcoming Sundance, stating that “our state is overjoyed.” He further explained that Colorado values the arts and film industry as significant contributors to its economy, job market, and vibrant culture. With the arrival of the renowned Sundance Film Festival, he anticipates a boost in employment opportunities and positive impacts on local businesses such as stores and restaurants.

The organizers of the festival chose not to disclose the specific tax exemptions and monetary benefits that Boulder provided for its relocation, as well as how these offers stacked up against those of the other potential locations in contention.

Ebs Burnough, chair of the Sundance Institute’s board, remarked that each city and state presented impressive offers, filled with attractive incentives, yet what truly stood out was their extraordinary enthusiasm. He emphasized that they were meticulous in ensuring the financial aspect of the deal only constituted a part of it.

Prior to the official announcement, the organizers of the festival expressed enthusiastic anticipation for Boulder, yet they couldn’t help but recognize a hint of sweet-sadness as they knew it would be their final year in Park City.

For over four decades, the crowd in Utah has consistently attended this festival each year, displaying immense enthusiasm and warmth,” remarked Eugene Hernandez, Director of the Sundance Film Festival. “To be truthful, I’m already excited to join them on the opening day, January 22, 2026. From there, we’ll begin revealing the next lineup, and I genuinely invite our faithful, dedicated fans of the Sundance Film Festival to continue this partnership with us in 2027 and the years that follow.

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2025-03-27 21:17