Congratulations Colorado. You are now hosting two of the world’s premier Film Festivals. This morning, in a historic decision, the Sundance Institute picked Boulder, Colorado, to host the Sundance Film Festival beginning in 2027. This decision means the festival will leave its current home, Park City, Utah, after four decades.
Sundance joins the Telluride Film Festival, a summer staple for 50 years, in the Centennial State.
According to a release from the institute, Sundance and the Boulder host committee envision the heart of the Festival in downtown Boulder utilizing a wide array of theaters and venues, and incorporating spaces around the Pearl Street Mall, a pedestrian-only street. Nearby spaces will offer dedicated locations, including the University of Colorado Boulder campus. Notably, the release emphasizes, “The Festival will work with the host committee to enhance infrastructure and accommodation options, ensuring that attendees can gather and celebrate independent storytelling – in an affordable and sustainable way – key to allowing independent films to shine and maintaining access for our community.” The “affordable and sustainable way” was simply not possible in Park City either for the festival or the attendees.
Almost 12 months ago, the Sundance Institute began a process to select a new home for the festival. The economics of holding the event in Park City proper were no longer feasible, and despite the enclave publicly championing the yearly event, there were increasing signs that the town’s population and business owners did not.
In September, three finalists were announced. The first, a combined Utah bid which would center most of the festival in metropolitan Salt Lake City with token events in Park City, was initially seen as the front runner. The other two finalists were Boulder, Colorado, a Rocky Mountain location which would fit the Sundance “aesthetic” (and the only politically blue state), and Cincinnati, Ohio, which impressed the search committee with their downtown plan.
When controversy erupted over a bill to ban any flags promoting minority representation in state buildings or facilities, including LGBTQ+ flags, Utah’s chances dwindled. The bill is currently on the desk of Utah Governor Spencer Cox, who had championed Sundance pivoting to Salt Lake City, but is expected to sign the bill, which would go into effect in May. The festival is still planning on holding its 2026 edition in Park City. The Playlist has been told the city will not let Sundance out of its contract and, despite political pressure, wouldn’t even allow it to move to Salt Lake City in 2026, it was chosen as the new “home.” Let’s see if the Park City City Council sticks to that stance now.
With such a major move for one of America’s premier cultural institutions, there were a lot of statements with key stakeholders this morning.
Robert Redford, Sundance Institute President and Founder, noted, “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. 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.”
Ebs Burnough, Sundance Institute Board Chair remarked, “This decision was informed by a detailed evaluation of the key components essential to creating our Festival. 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. We have a profound appreciation for the finalist cities and their communities — including Boulder, Colorado, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Salt Lake City, Utah — who presented overwhelmingly strong proposals and dedicated their time, passion, and commitment every step of the way. We have deep respect and gratitude to these communities for their hard work and partnership throughout the past year. Additionally, we sincerely value the steadfast support from our staff and board as we have ventured on this exploration together.”
Amanda Kelso, Sundance Institute Acting CEO, added, “The Sundance Film Festival is a catalyst for innovation, creative expression, and the discovery of groundbreaking independent films that inspire and shape the future of storytelling. This process provided the opportunity to imagine how we design the Festival while staying true to our programming and mission. We extend our appreciation to the staff, artists, partners, volunteers, and audiences who have and continue to support that mission. Boulder is an art town, tech town, mountain town, and college town. It is a place where the Festival can build and flourish. This is the beginning of a bold, new journey as we invite everyone to be part of our community and to be entertained and inspired. We can’t imagine a better fit than Boulder.”
Eugene Hernandez, Sundance Film Festival Director and Head of Public Programming, noted, “The Sundance Film Festival’s move to Boulder, Colorado in 2027 preserves and builds on its four decade journey. Together we continue to create a Festival that acts as a vibrant space for independent films and filmmakers to shine. A place where each January, a community of artists, industry, and audiences can gather to discover what’s new in global storytelling. This city is ready to embrace emerging and established global storytellers, our staff and volunteers, and, of course, global audiences. Whether you are a Sundance Film Festival regular, or someone who has dreamed of experiencing the Festival in person, we invite you to join us in January 2026 in Utah and then come along to nearby Colorado in 2027.”
Colorado Governor Jared Polis said he was “thrilled to welcome the Sundance Film Festival to its new home in Boulder starting in 2027. 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. Thank you to the Sundance Institute and all of the partners like the City of Boulder, Visit Boulder, the Boulder Chamber of Commerce, and I also want to thank the bipartisan legislators and leadership who have worked tirelessly to make this possible.”
Charlene Hoffman, Visit Boulder CEO said they were “deeply honored” to be the new festival’s new home adding, “Creativity, innovation, and expression are at the heart of what makes Boulder special, and we’re ready to welcome storytellers and cinema lovers from around the world. Our walkable downtown, iconic venues, and beautiful landscape at the base of the Rocky Mountains sets the stage for the Sundance Film Festival to flourish in its next chapter. It’s been a remarkable experience getting to share our vibrant community with the Sundance Institute and we eagerly await the Festival’s debut in beautiful Boulder, Colorado with excitement and gratitude.”
In their release, Sundance made sure to thank the Festival’s current home, calling it a “beating heart for more than 40 years.” They added, “Park City together with the state of Utah. Park City and Utah will always be a formative part of the Festival. The 2026 Sundance Film Festival will take place in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah, from January 22 to February 1, 2026, with acknowledgment and profound respect for the roots that the community has laid in the Wasatch Mountains. Park City and Utah’s independent spirit continues to inspire the Institute, and the beloved communities are invited to celebrate the Festival in Utah.”
The 2026 Sundance Film Festival is currently scheduled to be held one last time in Park City, Utah, from January 22 to February 1.
