The Sundance Film Festival will officially relocate to Boulder, Colorado, in 2027, concluding its decades-long association with Park City, Utah. After an extensive search for a new base of operations, the festival signed a 10-year agreement with Boulder officials. The city emerged as the winner in a competitive bid, defeating two other finalists: Cincinnati, Ohio, and Salt Lake City, Utah, which had previously been considered potential host cities.
The move marks a significant shift for the iconic film festival, which has become synonymous with Park City since its inception in 1985. In selecting Boulder, Sundance’s leadership cited the city’s vibrant culture as a college town and its growing reputation as a tech hub. Additionally, the community’s natural beauty, including the stunning Flatiron Mountain Range, was highlighted as an essential factor in the decision. Sundance has long prided itself on its alpine backdrop, which has become a signature element of the festival.
Amanda Kelso, the acting CEO of the Sundance Institute, noted that Boulder’s natural setting made it an ideal location for the festival. “One of the things that we also thought about is one of Robert Redford’s founding principles, which is this notion of making sure that the festival has a sense of space and a sense of place,” Kelso said. “When you walk around Boulder, you’ll be surrounded by the breathtaking Flatiron Mountain Range, which creates an incredible vibe. It’s an opportunity to metabolize what you just watched while convening in nature.”
Boulder’s Unique Appeal
Boulder is known for its eco-friendly lifestyle, progressive values, and a culture that embraces artists and countercultures. The city’s welcoming atmosphere and engaged citizenry have earned it the nickname “People’s Republic of Boulder.” Known for its commitment to environmental sustainability and creativity, Boulder offers a progressive environment that aligns with the values upheld by Sundance.
Despite these positives, the relocation to Boulder signals the beginning of a new and uncertain era for the festival. For more than four decades, Park City has been home to Sundance, where it played a central role in launching independent films that redefined the cinematic landscape. Classic films like Reservoir Dogs, Napoleon Dynamite, Sex, Lies, and Videotape, and Little Miss Sunshine all premiered at Sundance, helping to foster the indie film revolution of the ’90s and early 2000s. These films helped shift moviemaking toward edgier, more experimental content.
The Struggles Facing Sundance and Park City
In recent years, however, the festival has faced challenges. The global pandemic and a prolonged slump in the box office have made it more difficult for Sundance to maintain its position as a vital launching pad for new films. The 2024 edition, for example, saw fewer high-profile films debuting, with some films taking months to secure distribution deals. While a few films, such as the horror movie Together and the historical drama Train Dreams, were sold during the festival, others struggled to find buyers, reflecting the changing dynamics of the film industry.
At the same time, the relationship between the festival and Park City has become strained. Many studio executives and agents have voiced frustration over the high cost of attending the festival in a town that experiences a surge of visitors during the busy ski season. Locals, too, have become disenchanted with the influx of tourists, filmmakers, and press, which often disrupts the quiet mountain community. In recent years, the growing number of visitors has clashed with the town’s limited infrastructure, making it harder to accommodate everyone involved in the festival.
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Additionally, Sundance has struggled to find enough venues for filmmakers to showcase their work. After several venues in the town closed or downsized, such as the Redstone Theater, which was remodeled into a luxury venue with fewer seats, the festival was left with fewer screening spaces. Even if the festival had remained in Park City, the town would have played a smaller role, with Salt Lake City stepping in as the main hub for events.
The Search for a New Home
In April 2024, the Sundance Institute began exploring potential new locations to host the festival once its contract with Park City expires in 2026. More than 100 cities and towns expressed interest in hosting the event, with 13 cities submitting formal proposals. After multiple rounds of evaluation, Boulder emerged as the top choice.
The decision to relocate was made by a task force led by members of the Sundance Institute, including Amy Redford, the daughter of the festival’s founder, Robert Redford. The group evaluated each city’s infrastructure, event capabilities, and alignment with the festival’s mission. After reviewing the recommendations, the board voted to approve Boulder as the festival’s new home starting in 2027.
Robert Redford, who founded the festival in 1981, expressed his gratitude to the state of Utah and acknowledged the inevitability of change. “What we’ve created is remarkably special and defining,” he said in a statement. “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.”
Boulder’s Role in the Future of Sundance
Boulder’s downtown will become the central hub for the festival, with the city’s theaters and venues hosting screenings and events. The iconic Pearl Street Mall, a pedestrian-only block, will serve as a major center of activity, offering an open space for filmgoers and festival attendees to congregate. The festival is also planning to utilize select spaces on the University of Colorado Boulder campus for screenings and events.
Colorado’s governor, Jared Polis, expressed enthusiasm about the move, calling it a win for the state’s arts and film industry. “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,” Polis said. “Now, with the addition of the iconic Sundance Film Festival, we can expect even more jobs and significant benefits for our small businesses, including stores and restaurants.”
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Sundance’s leadership has not revealed the specific tax breaks or financial incentives offered by Boulder to secure the festival’s relocation. However, Ebs Burnough, chair of the Sundance Institute’s board, emphasized that the financial packages presented by each city were only part of the decision-making process. “Each city and state came to the table with incredible packages, with incredible incentives, but also, more importantly, with incredible passion,” Burnough said.
As the festival prepares for its final year in Park City in 2026, the move to Boulder represents both an exciting new chapter and a poignant farewell to the beloved Utah town that helped shape Sundance’s legacy.
