Controversy recently arose over whether the Sundance Film Festival will move to other cities as its current contract is set to expire in 2027. With an over 40-year history, Sundance has been one of the most iconic festivals in Utah.
Sundance preserves its significance by remaining in Utah. It shares important values with the Utah community, supporting cultural, economic and diversity issues.
Sundance belongs in Utah. Let it shine where it belongs.
Sundance and Park City
The Sundance Film Festival embarked on its journey with Utah in 1981. However, the relationship between Sundance and Utah spans more than just 40 years. Sundance has become one of the defining identities of Utah. Park City, where Sundance is hosted every year, has been instrumental in sharing its meaningful local cultural values with the festival.
Park City is renowned for its winter tourism. It signifies a gathering of people from around the world to enjoy winter in Utah. Nowadays, more than 100,000 people attend the festival annually, with 40% coming from out of state. Park City has experienced significant economic benefits from Sundance. Out-of-state visitors spend nearly $135 million annually in Utah during the festival season. However, this symbiotic relationship extends beyond economic gains.
Sundance’s association with Utah’s winter season has contributed to its identity as an independent film festival, creating a cultural uniqueness distinct from other film festivals.
Hailey Nelson, a junior majoring in film and media arts at the University of Utah and a Utah resident, said moving Sundance to a larger city would undermine its historical significance.
“Because Sundance started in a small city and truly values independent films, what makes it meaningful is its origins as a little-known festival that has now attracted tons of people to Salt Lake City,” Nelson said.
What Sundance Means to U Students
Sundance also boasts a rich history with the U. Many graduates of the U Department of Film and Media Arts have special connections with Sundance. The U offers a specific course where students can immerse themselves in the real-world media industry of the Sundance Institute.
International students from the U Asia Campus also cherish the opportunity to experience inclusivity through Sundance, an experience they may not encounter back in South Korea. They could feel this sense of inclusivity particularly when the film “Minari” by Lee Isaac Chung, who previously worked as a professor at the U Asia Campus, won the Grand Jury and Audience Awards at the festival in 2020.
“A lot of international students at the U Asia Campus talk about the Sundance Film Festival when they come to Utah,” said Yubin Lee, a senior from the Asia Campus currently studying film and media arts at the U.
“I see a variety of film genres and a respect for diversity at the Sundance Film Festival, which I don’t see back in South Korea,” Lee added.
In 2023, Sundance created 1,600 jobs and $63 million in wages in Utah. This directly impacts students at the U in finding job opportunities as well.
“Sundance does help a lot for people like me who want to work in this industry because every year, they are always looking for students to come up and work starting as volunteers,” Nelson said. “I know some students who are willing to continue working at Sundance.”
Utah Needs Diverse Voices
Having the Sundance Film Festival in such a conservative state is a significant blessing. Sundance has been working to represent diverse communities in Utah. However, it has also faced criticism due to perceived inaction on real diversity issues. The institute eventually released a statement on H.B. 257, which bars transgender, nonbinary and gender-nonconforming people from accessing bathrooms in public spaces. Despite this, there were voices of disappointment as immediate actions in support of marginalized groups were not evident.
Sundance has more work to do in advocating for inclusivity and diversity within the Utah community. It should remain in Utah and continue to speak up for social change.
Sammy Bennett, another film and media arts major student at the U identifying herself as bisexual, said Sundance needs to continue showing genuine commitment to marginalized groups.
“It’s crucial for Sundance to keep their word and truly demonstrate that they prioritize inclusivity, not just because it’s trendy or young people desire diversity,” she said.
She added that having such a platform is especially important in light of anti-queer and trans legislation that has recently passed in Utah.
Encouraging more trans and gender-nonconforming people to come to Utah and foster more inclusive environments is crucial. Sundance plays a central role in this effort as the largest independent film festival in Utah due to its sincere commitment to advocating for the state.
“Sundance shows that Utah is moving forward,” Nelson said. “People from out of state may have the idea that Utah is just conservative, but Sundance’s demonstration of diversity proves that we indeed have supportive voices.”
Sundance Belongs in Utah
While some may not perceive the potential relocation of Sundance to other cities as a concern, its significance runs deep.
The Sundance Film Festival stands at the core of Utah’s tourism, economic development and promotion of inclusivity. Utah’s cultural identity and history are deeply intertwined with Sundance. It is our responsibility to confront Utah’s reality through the lens of Sundance.
We must advocate for keeping Sundance in Utah. Sundance shines brightly in Utah and Utah shines brightly with Sundance.
