Sundance Film Festival Considers Relocation After 41 Years in Park City

Festival organizers weigh Salt Lake City, Boulder, and Cincinnati as potential new locations to address growth and accessibility challenges.

Sundance organizers announced plans to move the festival starting in 2027, citing Park City's inability to accommodate its growing size and logistical needs.
Finalists for the new host city include Salt Lake City, Utah, Boulder, Colorado, and Cincinnati, Ohio, with a decision expected by early spring 2025.
Utah leaders, including Governor Spencer Cox, are advocating to keep Sundance in the state, proposing $3 million in funding to retain the festival, while other states offer larger financial incentives.
The festival's economic impact on Utah reached $132 million in 2024, supporting local businesses and creating over 1,700 jobs, but concerns about exclusivity and accessibility persist.
Many locals and longtime attendees worry that relocating Sundance could diminish its identity, while others see potential for the festival to remain impactful in a new setting.