BOULDER, Colo. — Sundance Film Festival is moving to Boulder, Colorado after nearly half a decade in Park City, Utah.
The Sundance Institution announced on Thursday that Boulder beat out two other finalists – a joint bid by Salt Lake City and Park City, Utah, and Cincinnati, Ohio – to become the new host of the world-renowned film festival in 2027.
“This decision was informed by a detailed evaluation of the key components essential to creating our festival,” said Ebs Burnough, Sundance Institute Board chair, in a news release. “During the process, it became clear that Boulder is the ideal location in which to build our festival’s future, marking a key strategic step in its natural evolution.”
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said he is “thrilled” by the decision.
“Colorado is thrilled to welcome the Sundance Film Festival to its new home in Boulder starting in 2027,” Polis said in the release. “Here in our state we celebrate the arts and film industry as a key economic driver, job creator, and important contributor to our thriving culture. Now, with the addition of the iconic Sundance Film Festival, we can expect even more jobs, a huge benefit for our small businesses including stores and restaurants.”
Polis, state officials, Sundance Institute representatives and Visit Boulder will hold a news conference at 2 p.m. in front of the Boulder Theater to celebrate the announcement.
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The Institute said that they and the Boulder host committee envision the festival will be centered in downtown Boulder, using a wide array of theaters and venues, and incorporating spaces around the Pearl Street Mall. Gathering spots could include spots on the University of Colorado campus.
Boulder submitted a proposal in June to host the nation’s largest independent film festival that has been held in Utah since 1978 in Park City, Salt Lake City, and at the Sundance Resort near Provo. In April, the Sundance Institute initiated a process to consider a new host location starting in 2027.
Six finalists were named in July, and the final three finalists were named in September.
“I founded the Sundance Institute with a commitment to discovering and developing independent artists, with the Sundance Film Festival serving as the platform for stories to help expand audiences and broaden the landscape,” said actor Robert Redford, president and founder of the Sundance Institute. “That mission remains even more critical today and will continue to be our core principle. Words cannot express the sincere gratitude I have for Park City, the state of Utah, and all those in the Utah community that have helped to build the organization. What we’ve created is remarkably special and defining. As change is inevitable, we must always evolve and grow, which has been at the core of our survival. This move will ensure that the Festival continues its work of risk taking, supporting innovative storytellers, fostering independence, and entertaining and enlightening audiences. I am grateful to the Boulder community for its support, and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for the Festival there.”
The Sundance Institute said as part of its evaluation process, it assessed each city’s infrastructure, ethos and equity values and event capabilities, and how each finalist could sustainably service and support the festival’s community of artists and audiences.
The film festival will still take place in Park City and Salt Lake City in 2026. The festival was founded there in 1978.
