Sundance Abandons Utah for Boulder

The iconic Sundance Film Festival, renowned for showcasing independent cinema, is set to have its final run in Park City, Utah, in 2026. Instead, it will move to Boulder, Colorado, a more accessible location and larger city, starting from the next season in 2027. This surprising decision, made in response to the festival’s need for change post-pandemic and the significant transformations in the film industry over recent years, was first mooted back in 2023.

The decision to relocate has been made public on the Sundance website, emphasizing that the city’s quaint character and unique attractions make it an exceptional choice for our continued expansion. In their announcement, they expressed excitement about this new beginning starting from January 2027. Boulder, with its small-town ambiance, active community, stunning natural landscapes, and vibrant arts culture, is considered the perfect setting for our festival to flourish.

Showcasing a video that emphasizes the quaint appeal of the town, its stunning landscapes, and thriving artistic community, Sundance underscored the practical aspects that make Boulder an ideal location for their relocation, pointing out:

We imagine the core of the Festival located within downtown Boulder, making use of various theaters and venues, as well as outdoor areas surrounding the Pearl Street Mall, a pedestrian-exclusive street. Adjacent spaces will provide designated spots for our community to convene, with some areas on the nearby University of Colorado (CU) Boulder campus also included.

This unfolds during a time when Utah, Robert Redford’s former home state for 40 years, has been growing more hostile towards the LGBTQIA+ community, aligning itself with the rising authoritarian tendencies of America’s current political environment. If you’re intrigued by the rumored conflict between Utah and Redford’s festival, continue reading to discover more details.

Utah’s Increasingly Intolerant Government May Have Also Played A Role In Sundance Exit

If you find the move unexpected, it might be due to the strong historical ties of the Sundance Film Festival to Utah. Originally known as the Utah/U.S. Film Festival, it was launched in Salt Lake City, Utah, back in 1978. However, Utah’s political climate has leaned more towards MAGA ideologies over the past few years, as Deadline noted. Yet, Ebs Burnough, chair of the Sundance Institute Board, emphasized on Thursday that politics doesn’t play a role in decisions regarding the festival’s future.

Given the ongoing discussions about restricting Pride flags and other intolerant policies at the state level, it’s not surprising that a festival emphasizing “discovery of new voices and fresh ideas” might worry that its current home state’s laws could limit this ability. It’s also clear that two key considerations in the institute’s search for a new location – “ethos” and “inclusion and accessibility” – are aspects that Utah’s new or potential laws could compromise significantly.

Moving to Boulder presents a significant advantage, not just for the city itself, home to a university with over 35,000 students, but also for aspiring filmmakers and other creative individuals aiming to enter the industry. Compared to Park City, Utah, reaching and staying in the latter has historically been a costly, difficult ordeal for those without the financial resources. However, Boulder, Colorado, being a larger city, is only a 2.5-hour flight from Los Angeles (and under 4 hours from New York City), making it an easier-to-reach destination for emerging talents seeking to establish themselves.

Sundance Film Festival

2025-03-27 22:32

Utah’s Increasingly Intolerant Government May Have Also Played A Role In Sundance Exit

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