In a move that will shake up the world of independent film and the festival circuit, the Sundance Film Festival has confirmed that it will finally and officially be leaving Park City, Utah, the festival’s original home, for the 2027 iteration of the festival. Beginning in 2027, the new home of Sundance will be the city of Boulder, Colorado, which likewise means that Park City will have one more festival left, with 2026 functioning as the goodbye party and the 45th anniversary of Sundance. The move is meant to allow the festival more room to grow and expand, a tacit admission that it had long since outgrown the amenities, theaters and available housing in Park City for both workers and visiting theater patrons and media.
“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 Ebs Burnough, Sundance Institute Board Chair in a press statement. “We have a profound appreciation for the finalist cities and their communities — including Boulder, Colorado, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Salt Lake City, Utah — who presented overwhelmingly strong proposals and dedicated their time, passion, and commitment every step of the way. We have deep respect and gratitude to these communities for their hard work and partnership throughout the past year. Additionally, we sincerely value the steadfast support from our staff and board as we have ventured on this exploration together.”
The festival also included the following statement from Sundance Institute President and Founder, and iconic actor, Robert Redford:
“I founded the Sundance Institute with a commitment to discovering and developing independent artists, with the Sundance Film Festival serving as the platform for stories to help expand audiences and broaden the landscape. That mission remains even more critical today and will continue to be our core principle. Words cannot express the sincere gratitude I have for Park City, the state of Utah, and all those in the Utah community that have helped to build the organization. What we’ve created is remarkably special and defining. 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. I am grateful to the Boulder community for its support, and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for the Festival there.”
Sundance will now be set against the impressive backdrop of the front range of the Rocky Mountains. According to the announcement press release, the festival’s new Boulder iteration will be centered in downtown Boulder, “utilizing a wide array of theaters and venues, and incorporating spaces around the Pearl Street Mall, a pedestrian-only street. Nearby spaces will offer dedicated locations for our community to gather, including select spots on the University of Colorado (CU) Boulder campus.” The festival will no doubt bring a considerable influx of tourism and attention to Boulder, a notedly liberal mountain town known for craft breweries and progressive bluegrass, among other things.
“Colorado is thrilled to welcome the Sundance Film Festival to its new home in Boulder starting in 2027,” said Governor Jared Polis in a statement. “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. Now, with the addition of the iconic Sundance Film Festival, we can expect even more jobs, a huge benefit for our small businesses including stores and restaurants. Thank you to the Sundance Institute and all of the partners like the City of Boulder, Visit Boulder, the Boulder Chamber of Commerce, and I also want to thank the bipartisan legislators and leadership who have worked tirelessly to make this possible.”
