Sundance Reveals Six Cities Vying to Become Fest’s Home in 2027 and Beyond (Including Park City)

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As a long-time gamer and film enthusiast, I’ve attended my fair share of film festivals over the years, and Sundance holds a special place in my heart. The excitement surrounding the potential new home for the festival after its contract with Park City expires has me on the edge of my seat.

Sundance is one step closer to finalizing a home for 2027 and beyond.

On Friday, the Sundance Institute unveiled a list of contending cities that have progressed to the next stage in their exploration to become the new home for the festival once its agreement with Park City expires. The following cities made the cut: Atlanta, Boulder (Colorado), Cincinnati (Ohio), Louisville (Kentucky), and a combination of Park City and Salt Lake City (Utah). In the near future, Sundance Institute representatives will visit these cities for inspections. A definitive decision is anticipated to be made by the end of this year or during the first quarter of 2025.

Six candidates emerged as the top contenders after proposals were submitted and the deadline passed on June 21. The Institute carefully considered several factors during its assessment process, which included infrastructure, cultural fit, equity values, ability to host the festival, and each candidate’s potential to sustainably contribute to the expanding Sundance Film Festival community of independent filmmakers and viewers.

In other words, the exploratory stage involves a promise for a long-term agreement once a location is chosen for the film festival. Crucial elements of the negotiations will center around ensuring access to reliable transportation, suitable theater spaces, accommodations such as hotels and lodging, and a welcoming community that’s prepared for the arrival of countless movie enthusiasts, filmmakers, and industry professionals.

For quite some time, there have been persistent whispers and speculation about the possibility of the festival being relocated from Park City. Residents express concerns over the strain caused by the large number of visitors during the bustling ski season, leading to congested local businesses and public transportation. Over the past few years, Sundance has expanded its screenings and events in Salt Lake City, the original site of the festival. In their recent proposals, Utah’s cities have presented plans that could signify a shift from previous years.

As a gamer, I’m excited to be part of the decision-making team for our festival’s future location. These six finalists have caught our attention and offer us the best possibilities to ensure a stable future for our event while showcasing emerging storytellers and groundbreaking artworks. We appreciate all the communities who have shown interest and contributed to this process, and we’ve learned so much from discovering the unique qualities of each location. I can’t wait for the site visits in each finalist city to make an informed decision!

Eugene Hernandez, director of the Sundance Festival, and his team had engaging, imaginative, and collaborative discussions with various elected officials such as governors, mayors, arts supporters, film commissioners, and local influencers. Choosing the six finalist cities was a challenging task since each one boasts a dynamic creative community, either budding or well-established. These cities have fostered artistic growth through their commitment to the arts, resonating with our festival’s mission and offering intriguing collaboration opportunities for our artists, viewers, and all those connected to Sundance Film Festival. The potential partnership prospects, along with their shared vision, make us eager to explore further.

Today, as part of the unveiling, the Sundance Institute shared remarks from the heads of each participating city. You can find their comments underneath.

Atlanta, Georgia

Mayor Andre Dickens expressed that Atlanta is a vibrant and welcoming city filled with innovative individuals who are in line with Sundance Film Festival’s principles. He aims to showcase Atlanta’s art, culture, and distinct qualities during the selection process, hoping to attract future Sundance filmmakers and visitors.

Boulder, Colorado

“Governor Jared Polis is elated that Colorado has made it to the final list for hosting the Sundance Film Festival. The picturesque Flatirons in Boulder and its connection to the Redford Family through history make it an ideal location. We believe Boulder, Colorado, with its ability to accommodate a thriving and diverse festival, is the perfect fit for Sundance. I’m thrilled that the Sundance Institute sees the potential in moving here and am eager for the numerous advantages this will bring not just to Boulder but also to the entire state and the Festival itself.”

Cincinnati, Ohio

“Mayor Aftas Pureval noted, ‘For more than one generation, Cincinnati has been a preferred film location, thanks to the City’s steady backing of Film Cincinnati. We excel at fostering creative artists and behind-the-scenes workers, and we take pride in showcasing their work on the silver screen. With our central location, Cincinnati is not only an essential city for film production but also a major tourist destination. As both Cincinnati and the Sundance Film Festival stand on the brink of significant transformations, we are excited to collaborate and grow together.'”

Louisville, Kentucky

“Louisville City and its vibrant arts scene are thrilled to be contenders for the Sundance Film Festival. With our long-standing tradition of top-tier events, a flourishing film industry, and dedication to eco-friendliness, we offer an ideal setting for the Festival’s development. As home to the most renowned two minutes in sports, we are eager to welcome the ten most significant days in cinema.” – Mayor Craig Greenberg

Park City/Salt Lake

As a passionate gamer and avid supporter of the arts, I’ve been incredibly lucky to have witnessed some of the most remarkable films at the Sundance Film Festival over the last 40 years. And now, I’m thrilled to be part of an exciting new collaboration between Mayors Nann Worel (Park City), Erin Mendenhall (Salt Lake City), and Jenny Wilson (Salt Lake County). We’re dedicated to creating a fresh vision for the Festival, one that will keep it at the forefront of storytelling for the next 40 years. At the core of our plan is a firm commitment to nurturing and celebrating independent film. By bringing together diverse audiences and creators from all corners of life, we aim to make this event an even more inspiring experience for everyone involved.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

“Santa Fe and the Sundance Film Festival are perfectly suited to each other. Sharing the values of acceptance, eco-friendliness, and multiculturalism, Santa Fe’s community and the festival have consistently upheld these principles. Santa Fe offers a genuine, distinctive, and motivating environment for artists of all sorts. The Sundance Film Festival’s mission aligns beautifully with Santa Fe’s identity.” – Mayor Alan Webber

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2024-07-19 20:25