The Sundance Film Festival is leaving its home state of Utah, after nearly 40 years of fostering and celebrating independent film.
After a lengthy battle of wills, the finalists for custody of the festival were a joint effort between Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah, Boulder, Colorado and Cincinnati, Ohio.
Each state made substantial bids to lure Sundance into its grasp, but Boulder ultimately came out on top.
The Sundance Institute Board of Trustees announced a vote on Thursday that will remove the festival from its home in Park City, Utah, and relocate it to Boulder, Colorado, beginning in 2027.
“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,” said Sundance Institute Board Member Ebs Burnough,
The loss of Sundance will undoubtedly damage the state’s culture and economy. In 2024, the festival added $138 million to the state’s gross domestic product.
The Utah Legislature allocated $3.5 million in it’s budget for the festival this year, but earlier this month, an article from Deadline reported a Sundance insider thought HB77, the bill that would ban pride flags in schools and all government buildings, would be “an eleventh-hour obstacle” to keeping the festival in Utah.
“It is a terrible law, a terrible look for the state,” the unnamed Sundance insider told Deadline. “No matter what they say, we all know who it’s aimed at — the LGBTQ+ community, and that’s unacceptable.”
Gov. Spencer Cox, who along with other Utah leaders took out a half page-ad in the Los Angeles Times urging support from the community to keep Sundance in Utah, said he was disappointed to see the festival go in a post to X.
“As I’ve said from the beginning, we wanted Sundance to stay. We made that clear to their leadership and put together a highly competitive package,” Cox said. “Ultimately, this decision is theirs to make — but I believe it’s a mistake, and that one day, they’ll realize they left behind not just a place, but their heritage.”
He added Utah would continue to support filmmakers and build a world-class economy.
“We have already begun meeting with partners, stakeholders, and creative voices to create a new festival — one that honors our legacy and writes the next chapter of independent film in Utah,” Cox said.
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, Utah Film Commission Director Virginia Pearce and Park City Mayor Nann Worel released a joint statement Thursday.
“While we are naturally disappointed by the decision, the State of Utah, Park City and Salt Lake City have long been proud partners of the Festival, and we are grateful for the lasting impact it has had on our communities,” the statement read. “We remain committed to fostering the arts right here in Utah, where the spirit of storytelling will always thrive.”
Since its genesis, Sundance has been deemed one of the leading catalysts for independent film, and the institute hopes to continue this mantra in the festival’s new home.
“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,” Sundance Institute Acting CEO Amanda Kelso said. “We can’t imagine a better fit than Boulder.”
The 2026 festival, taking place between Jan. 22 and Feb. 1, will be the sunset on Sundance’s long history in Park City and a time for Utahns to celebrate their part in fostering an event that has shaped the world of independent film.
