As a seasoned gamer who’s spent countless hours immersed in the digital world, I can’t help but draw parallels between the thrill of discovering new levels and the anticipation surrounding the Sundance Film Festival‘s move to a new home in 2027.
2027 and future years may see Sundance Film Festival settling into its next permanent venue or returning to a previously held location.
The Sundance Institute has selected Boulder, Colorado; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Salt Lake City/Park City, Utah as the finalist cities for its ongoing location selection process. In the coming stages, these cities will undergo a “final evaluation” with a decision anticipated in the first quarter of next year after the 2025 festival edition has taken place. However, Sundance will continue to be held in Park City through 2026.
It’s worth mentioning that during the announcement of finalist locations, Salt Lake City was given priority over Park City, the traditional festival hub, which wasn’t a mere coincidence. The bid for the event led to the relocation of the festival’s main office to Salt Lake City, with some activities still being held in Park City. For quite some time, there have been murmurs and speculations about Sundance potentially leaving Park City due to local concerns about the strain it puts on the small town, especially during the peak ski season when a surge of people overwhelms the city’s local businesses and public transportation every January. Over the past few years, Sundance has been hosting more screenings and events in the larger Salt Lake City, where the initial editions of the festival took place.
After announcing the list of six final contenders in April, the group of Sundance Institute selection committee members has recently visited each city (Atlanta, Boulder, Colorado; Cincinnati, Ohio; Louisville, Kentucky; Park City/Salt Lake City, Utah; and Santa Fe, New Mexico) for a closer look at what they could potentially bring to the table. These site visits were part of an ongoing process that was initially disclosed in April.
According to the Institute’s guidelines, the three potential hosts were evaluated based on their adherence to “ethics and fairness principles, their ability to accommodate the festival, and their plans for nurturing Sundance’s diverse community and encouraging future independent filmmakers.” A long-term partnership is anticipated, and during negotiations, it was crucial to ensure that the chosen location would provide transportation, suitable theater spaces, hotels, and lodging, as well as a welcoming community prepared to accommodate the multitude of film enthusiasts, creators, and industry professionals that Sundance typically attracts.
Eugene Hernandez, who is in charge of the Sundance Festival as its director and head of public programming, expressed optimism about the three proposals. He believes each one demonstrates an appealing mix of innovative ideas, values, and practical considerations that could result in a lively, welcoming, and inclusive festival for many years to come. We’re eagerly looking forward to the next 40 years of Sundance, where we can continue discovering, nurturing, and inspiring artists and audiences.
In today’s unveiling, the Sundance Institute shared comments from representatives hailing from various cities. Here are their remarks:
Boulder, Colorado
Colorado Governor Jared Polis expressed his enthusiasm about Boulder being a potential new home for the Sundance Film Festival, mentioning that they are among the three finalists to host the event starting from 2027. In Colorado, we value our creative communities and the economic benefits they bring, and hosting the Sundance Film Festival would fit perfectly with the ongoing creative activities in the state.
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati’s leaders are thrilled that our city is being considered as the future host of the Sundance Film Festival. As frequent festival-goers, we feel that Cincinnati’s commitment to the arts, its warm hospitality, and its historic theaters make it an ideal match. We are excited at the prospect of collaborating with the Sundance Institute to honor the festival’s esteemed history while unveiling a fresh, walkable, and inclusive venue. The unique combination of creativity, culture, and community in Cincinnati is certain to create a truly memorable event for both filmmakers and spectators,” said Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval and Film Cincinnati president and CEO Kristen Schlotman in a joint statement.
Salt Lake City/Park City
In a joint statement, Mayors Erin Mendenhall of Salt Lake City, Nann Worel of Park City, and Jenny Wilson of Salt Lake County expressed their collective pride and support for the Sundance Film Festival. As part of the bidding team, they look forward to deepening their ties with Sundance, fostering creativity among artists and enhancing the overall festival experience. Boasting an extensive event infrastructure, top-tier venues, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere, they stand ready to help Sundance make its mark on the global stage.
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2024-09-12 20:27