Sundance’s Future Home: Cincinnati Emerges as Surprise Contender

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As the announcement of the location for the upcoming Sundance Film Festival draws near, seasoned producer Christine Vachon has expressed her support: she’s rooting for Cincinnati, Ohio.

The founder of Killer Films, who was nominated for an Oscar, is expressing her preference for a Midwestern city over Salt Lake City, Utah, Boulder, Colorado, as a potential location for Sundance Festival. This choice is based on her past experiences in the city, having made five films there, and her belief that it can accommodate a festival of Sundance’s scale. However, she emphasizes that she holds no authority in the decision-making process. She acknowledges that some might question her input, as one might say, “What does she know?” Nevertheless, she is deeply involved with Sundance and simply expressing her viewpoint.

The person speaking is a longtime attendee of Sundance, deeply committed to its growth, and genuinely hopes to see it become exceptionally impactful for upcoming filmmakers. They’re not claiming expertise or superiority; they simply express their thoughts based on their extensive experience dating back to the mid-1980s.

According to recent news, the Sundance Institute is actively considering potential venues for its festival from 2027 onwards. The list of possible locations has been shortened to three: Salt Lake City, Utah (with a branch office in Park City’s current location), Boulder, Colorado and Cincinnati, Ohio. Insiders suggest a final choice will be made between late March and early April.

Vachon is expressing her support for Cincinnati before the final decision, willing to take a stance despite having no influence over the outcome as the decision lies with Sundance Institute’s board of directors. She believes that Sundance will handle the situation well, but as someone with a voice, she intends to share her opinion.

I saw your comment on Eric Kohn’s Facebook post regarding Sundance, where you suggested experimenting with innovative and budget-friendly changes to revitalize the festival for future generations. You mentioned that this was in line with Sundance’s original mission. You have consented to discuss Cincinnati as a potential location to relocate Sundance. Could you explain why Cincinnati?

Multiple films, such as “Carol,” “Dark Waters,” “Goat,” “My Days of Mercy,” and “A Kind of Murder,” have been produced in this location. Recently, Kelly Reichardt and Luca Guadagnino have filmed here, demonstrating the thriving filmmaking community present. The city is fortunate to have an exceptional film commissioner named Kristen Erwin. It’s a place that emphasizes arts and culture, boasting an excellent orchestra theater. Local casting is exceptional due to its robust repertory theater scene. The city exhibits a youthful, diverse atmosphere.

This year, I wasn’t fortunate enough to visit Park City, but I noticed many people expressing disdain for it online, which left me with the impression that they might be misunderstanding its appeal. To my eyes, Park City is an exceptional city that exudes a vibrant energy perfectly suited to hosting a film festival.

This year at Sundance, Jennifer Lopez was in Park City for the world premiere of Bill Condon’s “Kiss of the Spider Woman”. Some folks were talking about how surprising it would be if she jetted off to Cincinnati for a film festival.

Hey there! As a gamer, I’d say, “Absolutely, it can be done! This city vibes like an artistic and creative haven with some unique districts. There’s ample room for a festival and the necessary infrastructure. Why would anyone think twice about visiting? There’s a hint of elitism in that remark, which I don’t quite get. To top it off, I got to shake hands with the mayor of Cincinnati, who’s truly remarkable!

As someone who has shot movies all over the world, what surprised you most about Cincinnati?

When filming “Carol”, we found ourselves at the forefront of a surge of movies being produced in that location. From a practical standpoint, it boasts a diverse array of terrains. Geographically speaking, it’s a region that straddles the Midwest and the South, providing a unique blend of landscapes, architectures, and textures within approximately a 50-mile radius. This makes filming there particularly rewarding. The local community of filmmakers shares a vibrant, passionate spirit reminiscent of New York in the ’90s. I was taken aback by the sheer variety I encountered and the exceptional quality of the restaurants.

That’s important for hosting a festival like Sundance.

Well, we sure don’t make it important in Park City now, do we?

It’s crucial to keep in mind the difficulties involved when organizing a festival like this one. I’ve spoken to many people in Park City who have shared their struggles with finding affordable restaurants for parties, dinners, or premiere celebrations due to high costs. Over time, it has become progressively expensive to host events on Main Street.

For quite some time, the cost has been astronomical, making it an impossible dream for me this year. Our film was fortunate enough to be selected, so one of our Killer Films executives graciously attended, but renting a house for a comfortable filmmaker experience comes with a hefty price tag, often thousands of dollars. And let’s not forget, these aren’t exactly luxury accommodations – people are still sleeping on floors and foldout couches. While that might have been acceptable 25 years ago, I find myself unwilling to sacrifice comfort for such high costs in today’s world.

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What’s your experience been like, observing these changes throughout the years, given your role as both a seasoned filmmaker with numerous films at the festival and a company leader aiming to mentor and nurture upcoming team members and filmmakers to foster connections?

A significant aspect of film festivals lies in fostering a sense of camaraderie. The existence of such a robust community in Cincinnati, which has potential for growth, adds intrigue to it. I must emphasize the influence of the film commissioner, as she consistently goes above and beyond when productions are shot there. Her enthusiasm for her city is not uncommon among film commissioners, but what sets her apart is her practical approach – she actively solves problems for filmmakers. Undoubtedly, she would extend similar efforts if Sundance were fortunate enough to be located in that city.

As a diehard fan discussing Cincinnati, I can’t help but wonder why other contenders like Boulder and Salt Lake City weren’t chosen instead. Could you share some insights on that?

To my perspective, Boulder seems pricey with limited public transport options, affordable accommodations, and so forth. Acknowledging my lack of extensive experience there, I’ve visited only once, someone might challenge me by saying, “How can you know so little?” However, based on the information that has been shared and reported, Salt Lake City appears to be a relatively minor shift. It’s like suburban Park City, to some extent.

Why not take a bold step and bring about genuine transformation? Instead of insisting that everyone attends gatherings on Facebook like Eric’s wall, let them choose whether they wish to participate or not. I’m fortunate to collaborate with several young filmmakers on our movie projects, and I understand their eagerness to attend events like Sundance. They look forward to watching films, networking with peers, seeking financial backing, and all this without having to sell their homes just to afford it.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about Cincinnati? Or perhaps, are you concerned that Sundance or festival director Eugene Hernandez might have certain thoughts if you express your support for the city through your own voice?

I adore Eugene and have known him for what feels like forever. I trust that he, along with the Sundance board, will make a wise decision regarding the festival because they’ve been successful for such a long time. Despite my lengthy attendance, I don’t participate in their decision-making process. I’m not privy to the challenges they face. I suspect there are many complex factors at play in this decision. Someone might reasonably question my input, given my outsider status. However, I want to emphasize that I speak from a place of admiration for Sundance and a desire for its continued success. The festival is vital for upcoming filmmakers, and I truly believe it needs to thrive. I am confident that Sundance will meet the challenges ahead and that Cincinnati could play an important role in this journey.

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2025-02-27 00:25