PARK CITY, Utah (AP) — On Thursday, the Sundance Film Festival declared that
its new home
will take place in Boulder, Colorado, beginning in 2027, following a 40-year stint in Park City, Utah.
This choice concludes an extensive year-long competition where multiple American cities aspired to become home to the renowned independent film festival—a platform pivotal for many filmmakers, performers, and Academy Award hopefuls. In the final round of selection, Boulder, Cincinnati in Ohio, along with a joint proposal from Salt Lake City and Park City emerged as top candidates.
Sundance’s newest retreat in Boulder also boasts a link to its creator.
Robert Redford,
Who went to school there during the 1950s?
Below are some of the responses to Sundance’s impending relocation:
In our state, we honor the arts and film industry as a major force behind our economy, generating numerous employment opportunities and playing an essential role in fostering our vibrant cultural scene. With the introduction of the renowned Sundance Film Festival, we anticipate further growth in job creation, which will greatly support local enterprises such as shops and eateries. This was stated by Colorado Governor Jared Polis.
“As I mentioned right from the start, our aim was for Sundance to remain with us. We conveyed this clearly to their management team and crafted an extremely attractive offer. In the end, the choice rests solely with them; however, I feel this would be a misstep, and eventually, they will recognize that they have forsaken more than just a location—they’re giving up part of their legacy,” stated Utah Governor Spencer Cox.
“The Sundance Film Festival serves as a driving force for innovation, artistic expression, and the unveiling of pioneering independent movies that motivate and influence the next chapter of narrative artistry. This endeavor offered us a chance to envision how we can revamp the festival without straying from our core values and objectives.” —Amanda Kelso, acting Sundance CEO, stated this.
“By making this change, we aim to maintain the festival’s commitment to embracing risks, backing inventive storytellers, encouraging autonomy, and captivating as well as educating our audience. I extend my gratitude to the Boulder community for their backing, and I’m eager to witness what the upcoming days hold for the festival in that location.” — stated Redford.
“Although we’re naturally disappointed with this outcome, the State of Utah, along with Park City and Salt Lake City, have consistently been valued collaborators of the Festival. We appreciate the enduring influence it has imparted upon our communities. Our dedication to nurturing artistry remains steadfast within Utah’s borders, as the essence of narrative will perpetually flourish here.” — a collective declaration issued by the leaders of Park City, Salt Lake City, and the Utah Film Commission.
“Although Cincinnati wasn’t chosen as the venue for the Sundance Film Festival, we take pride in showcasing our city’s vibrant contribution to the film sector,” stated Kristen Schlotman, president of Film Cincinnati.
___
Hannah Schoenbaum and John Seewer from the Associated Press contributed to this report.