After an extensive yearlong search, the Sundance Film Festival has decided to relocate to Boulder, Colorado, officially announced on Thursday. While the move keeps Sundance nestled in a mountainous region, it departs from its longstanding home in Park City, Utah—an area that had provided a picturesque backdrop for the renowned independent film festival over the decades.
Organizers revealed that after 40 years in the same location, the festival had outgrown Park City. The lack of adequate theaters and affordable lodging made it increasingly difficult to sustain the festival’s expanding demands. Ultimately, Boulder stood out among other considered locations, including Salt Lake City and Cincinnati, due to its proximity to nature, engaging community, and small-town charm, making it an ideal setting for Sundance’s future endeavors.
“Boulder is unique with its blend of technology, arts, academia, and mountain scenery,” expressed Amanda Kelso, the acting chief executive of the Sundance Institute, during an interview in Boulder. “With a population of 100,000, it offers us a more expansive setting compared to Park City.”
Kelso, along with Ebs Burnough, the Sundance Institute board chair, and Eugene Hernandez, the festival’s director and head of programming, discussed the relocation before the public announcement. Local authorities in Boulder, who provided a $34 million incentive over a decade through tax credits, welcomed the festival’s arrival with enthusiasm.
“We greatly value the arts and the film industry, which are significant elements of our economy and culture,” stated Colorado Governor Jared Polis. However, Utah Governor Spencer Cox, noted his disappointment, suggesting Sundance may later regret leaving its original Utah roots.
The move from Park City to Boulder marked a strategic shift for Sundance, preferring the growing, outdoorsy environment of Boulder over the luxury ski resort atmosphere of Park City. Boulder, situated at the foot of the Rockies, retains a strong connection to its natural surroundings—a key factor in the decision-making process.
The transition retains the spirit of Sundance founder Robert Redford’s vision, who had initially sought a retreat from Hollywood hustle to nurture independent voices. Founded in 1981, the Sundance Institute began hosting the Film Festival in 1984, growing into an essential platform for emerging filmmakers. Redford, an alumnus of the University of Colorado in Boulder, voiced support for the move.
“Words fail to adequately express my gratitude to Park City and the Utah community for their immense contributions,” Redford commented. “Our legacy is special and ever-evolving, and change is a necessary part of our growth.”
In selecting its new home, the festival focused on factors like “ethos and equity values,” prompting speculation regarding the influence of local political climates on their decision. Indeed, some opinions emerged correlating Sundance’s move with the enactment of new policies regarding certain flag displays in Utah schools and government buildings.
However, festival chair Burnough emphasized that the search for a new home took eighteen months, with growth and evolution as primary goals, unaffected by political events. The search began earnestly in April 2024, initially reviewing six potential cities, including Atlanta, Louisville, and Santa Fe.
Sundance’s departure marks a significant change for Park City, which will host the festival one last time in January 2026. Over the years, the festival has been a key player in the film industry, launching careers of filmmakers like Steven Soderbergh and Ryan Coogler, while also contributing significantly to the local Utah economy.
The festival attracted over 72,000 attendees in 2024, contributing an estimated $132 million to the state’s economy. However, there were tensions with local ski resorts, which clashed with the festival’s schedule, impacting peak ski season.
Longtime attendee Debbie Gold, who became passionate about independent film through Sundance, expressed mixed feelings about the move. “It feels like the end of an era in Park City,” she shared, while also showing mild interest in Boulder, acknowledging its allure as a mountain town.
With the relocation, Colorado now hosts two major U.S. film festivals, as the Telluride Film Festival also calls the state home, taking place annually in late August.