In the world-renowned mountain city of Park City, Utah, the atmosphere buzzes with architectural enchantment and a sense of an artistic spirit, all due to the Sundance Film Festival that has taken up residence for four decades. However, the snow may start falling differently from 2027, as the Sundance Institute disclosed on Wednesday that they’ve initiated investigations into the feasibility of alternative US locations for the heralded independent film festival.
With Park City and Salt Lake City committed to hosting the 2025 and 2026 festivals, the wrapping of their contract in 2027 provides a window of opportunity. Sundance Institute has embraced this chance to start an information and proposal request process, casting an exploratory net towards all options. While the final decision is slated for announcement by early 2025, the outcome could still see Park City retaining its beloved cinematic neighbor.
Standing at the helm of the festival, Director Eugene Hernandez stressed the essence of the festival’s experience and the crucial need to ensure the festival’s cultural, operational, and financial sustainability. Stating, “We are in a unique moment for our Festival and our global film community”, Hernandez emphasized the importance of the responsible exploration of possibilities for the Festival as it prepares for a new chapter.
Looking at Park City, one cannot overlook the transformative impact of the Sundance Film Festival, founded by Robert Redford. Every January, the city gives into an invigorating takeover, with theatres sprouting in places as ordinary as libraries and recreation centers. The city’s enchanting Main Street store fronts morph into exclusive lounges for actors and filmmakers, while restaurants bristle with the excitement of after-parties following global film premieres.
Expressing her sentiments on the potential departure, Mayor Nann Worel spoke effusively about the city’s long-standing partnership with Sundance and her eagerness to keep the Festival rooted in Park City for another four decades. She committed to holding discussions with state leaders and local partners about the festival’s future, reflecting the major economic impact of the festival. According to Sundance’s 2023 economic impact report, the hybrid festival last year resulted in a vast inflow of just over $118 million for the state of Utah.
Sundance, which has served as a springboard for numerous acclaimed filmmakers over the years, has seen numerous Oscar nominees and winners christen its screens. Titles such as “CODA”, their first best picture winner, and the past three documentary winners, “20 Days in Mariupol”, “Navalny”, and “Summer of Soul”, all strutted their cinematic prowess in Utah. It comes as not surprising then, that the festival has seen a record number of submissions in the previous year.
However, it is not without its challenges. The city’s other major economic engine, local ski resorts, has been involved in disagreements over the years due to the balance—or lack thereof—they feel they’re getting. Despite these tussles, the festival has made efforts to appease, shifting the timing of their events and even moving some screenings to neighboring Salt Lake City. And while it understands the need for ski resorts to profit from the wintry ski season’s peak, Sundance, too, needs to strike while the iron is hot. Taking the spot of the first major film festival of each calendar year is a distinction the institute has cultivated and wants to keep.
This is an opinion that Deer Valley Resort and Park City Mountain Resort—two giants in the ski resort industry—share. Both establishments credit Sundance as an integral promoter of Park City’s appeal and hope to keep the fruitful connection. “We support the festival and its long history within the community”, Deer Valley spokesperson Emily Summers stated firmly.
Robert Redford, who has since moved away from Sundance’s spotlight, previously remarked on the festival’s potential to outgrow Park City in 2016, sparking conversation about the festival’s evolution. The recent announcement has seen Redford and his daughter, Amy, actively participate in the ongoing process.
One additional note to this saga is the recent stepping down of the Institute’s CEO, Joana Vicente, and while acting CEO Amanda Kelso fills the position, a permanent replacement remains undetermined. Regardless of who steps into this position, the question on everyone’s mind is bound to be “Where next for the iconic Sundance Film Festival?”
