The
Sundance Film Festival
has discovered a new abode in the Centennial State.
The
long-running movie exhibition
, formerly located in Park City, Utah, has selected Boulder, Colorado, as its new home base, announced the Sundance Institute’s Board of Trustees.
announced Thursday
.
“Boulder boasts a close-knit community, unique natural allure, and a thriving arts culture, which makes it perfect for the festival’s expansion,” the statement noted. Competing locations included Cincinnati and Salt Lake City.
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“Ebs Burnough, the chair of the Sundance Institute Board, stated in an official release that they hold deep admiration for both the finalist cities and their respective communities… These entities submitted exceptionally robust applications and invested their efforts, enthusiasm, and dedication throughout the entire process,” he mentioned officially.
When will Sundance relocate to Colorado?
The Sundance Film Festival plans to officially relocate to Colorado starting from its 2027 event. For this year’s iteration in 2026, similar to past events, it will continue to be held in Park City and Salt Lake City. Established by filmmaker Sterling Van Wagenen, the Sundance Festival initially commenced in Salt Lake City in August 1978 under the title of the Utah/US Film Festival.
Colorado is “delighted” to host the cinematic charm within its borders.
Gov. Jared Polis
stated in an official release, emphasizing that Colorado takes pride in “supporting the arts and film industry as a vital economic engine, significant source of employment, and essential element of our vibrant cultural landscape.”
The marketing group Visit Boulder expressed their deep honor over the city’s choice, according to CEO Charlene Hoffman in an official statement. Hoffman further stated, “Imagination, ingenuity, and self-expression define what makes Boulder unique, and we’re excited to host filmmakers and movie enthusiasts globally.”
The institute along with its board of trustees expressed their gratitude towards the festival’s long-term home and vibrant core, which has been hosting the event for over four decades—Park City alongside the state of Utah—as stated in Thursday’s announcement. They emphasized that Park City and Utah will remain integral parts of the festival’s legacy.
The 2025 Sundance Film Festival, held in January, featured films like the war satire “Atropia” and the dark comedy “Twinless.”
collect top awards
, while the event
spotlighted other works
including “The Ugly Stepsister,” “Oh, Hi!” and “Pee-wee in His Own Shoes.”
At the red carpet event for the festival,
boasted star-studded appearances
from the likes of
Jennifer Lopez
,
Ayo Edebiri
,
Chloë Sevigny
,
Cynthia Erivo
and
Glenn Close
.
The upcoming Sundance Film Festival is scheduled to take place next year starting from
From Jan. 22 to Feb. 1, 2026
.
Contributors: Brian Truitt, Patrick Ryan, and Kim Willis, USA TODAY
The article initially appeared on USA TODAY.
The Sundance Film Festival is moving to Colorado after almost half a century in Utah.