Sundance's Big Move: From Utah to Colorado

The Sundance Film Festival is making a big change. After 40 years in Park City, Utah, it is heading to Boulder, Colorado. This move comes after a year of searching for a new location. Boulder won out over other finalists like Cincinnati and Salt Lake City. The new deal with Boulder and Colorado is for 10 years. The Sundance Institute's president and founder, Robert Redford, talked about the move. He said it will help the festival keep taking risks and supporting new storytellers. He also thanked Boulder for its support and looked forward to the future. Boulder is a college town with plenty of hotels. This should help with housing during the festival. The nearby University of Colorado Boulder also means a local, engaged audience. Park City has had some issues lately. Many people have been sending fewer staff to the festival due to high costs. Locals have also been tired of the crowd and traffic during the festival and ski season. In 2024, 72, 840 people attended the festival, down from 116, 800 in 2020. The pandemic also forced the festival online for two years. The festival's new home, Boulder, is served by Denver International Airport. This airport has many flights from across the U. S. and internationally. This should make travel easier for attendees. The move to Boulder might also bring some changes. Boulder already has its own film festival, which hosts about 20, 000 guests each year. It is unclear how the move will affect this festival. Sundance has not said much about any financial incentives from Colorado. But, they did say each finalist brought their best to the table. Boulder offers beautiful natural surroundings, much like Park City. The acting CEO of Sundance, Amanda Kelso, talked about this. She said Sundance values a sense of space and place, which Boulder offers with its mountains. The move might also bring some political changes. Utah has been seen as less welcoming to the festival's values in recent years. Colorado, on the other hand, celebrates the arts and film industry. The governor of Colorado, Jared Polis, said the move will bring more jobs and benefits to small businesses. The festival's final year in Park City will be in 2026. The last event is scheduled for Jan. 22-Feb. 1. The festival director, Eugene Hernandez, has been going to the festival for nearly 35 years. He said Park City is important to the festival's story. But, he also sees Boulder as a place where the festival can build and grow. This is a place that aligns well with Sundance's values and mission.