Sundance Institute acknowledges accessibility, cost concerns with Park City festival location

Photo: Courtesy of the Sundance Institute.

Sundance Institute CEO Joana Vicenta reveals "there is a negotiation coming up"

PARK CITY, Utah — The Sundance Film Festival, held in Park City since 1981, faces some challenges, including accessibility and cost.

In a surprise appearance Monday during a live taping of Matt Belloni’s “The Town” podcast, Sundance Institute CEO Joana Vicente affirms that Sundance Institute is “excited” about the programming they’re doing in Salt Lake City, which gives them access to younger, more diverse audiences. She also notes that Utah, as a state, supports the festival.

“Park City is part of Sundance. It’s a beautiful location. It’s kind of remote. We get immersed into the festival,” said Vicente.

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“So, yes, there is a negotiation coming up. We’re also spending time doing a lot of strategic thinking of where can we be most relevant. What’s the role of the festival? What’s the role of the institute? How do we evolve in a really ever-changing industry around us?” Vicente continued.

“We love being here. So, that’s what I would say. We want to make this work. We know there are a lot of challenges,” she concluded.