Sundance Institute to explore alternative locations for 2027 film festival and beyond

A view of Main Street during the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. Photo: Sundance Institute // Jutharat Pinyodoonyachet

The 2025-26 Sundance Film Festivals will still take place in Park City and Salt Lake City

PARK CITY, Utah — The Sundance Institute announced today that it will solicit proposals from potential new host cities for the Sundance Film Festival’s 2027 iteration and beyond.

The nonprofit will hold a request for information (RFI) period for interested cities in the United States from April 17 to May 1, then select cities will participate in a request for proposal (RFP) process from May 7 to June 21. The chosen city will be announced during the end of 2024 or the beginning of 2025.

Founded by Robert Redford, the Sundance Film Festival has been held in Park City since 1985, with the festival’s current contract with the city up for renewal in 2027.

According to a press release from the Sundance Institute, the RFI and RFP will allow the institute gather information in order to evaluate, consider and build on its foundation for an accessible festival serving a growing global independent creative community.

“We are in a unique moment for our Festival and our global film community, and with the contract up for renewal, this exploration allows us to responsibly consider how we best continue sustainably serving our community while maintaining the essence of the Festival experience,” said Eugene Hernandez, director of the Sundance Film Festival and public programming.

“We are looking forward to conversations that center supporting artists and serving audiences as part of our mission and work at Sundance Institute, and are motivated by our commitment to ensure that the Festival continues to thrive culturally, operationally, and financially as it has for four decades,” Hernandez said.

Although the Sundance Institute will explore the possibility of hosting the Sundance Film Festival in other locations, Park City and Salt Lake City are still in the running to continue to host the annual event.

Utah has been encouraged to participate in the RFI period due to the Sundance Institute’s “long-standing relationship” with the state.

“We appreciate our partnership with Sundance, and we want the Festival to remain here for another 40 years,” Park City Mayor Nann Worel said in a statement. “We will not be alone in the effort to ensure that Utah remains host to diverse new voices from around the globe. With gratitude to the thousands of volunteers, our dedicated workforce, our residents, and the passion of our visitor and resident film lovers — we will work collaboratively with all our state and local partners on next steps.”

The 2025 Sundance Film Festival will take place in Park City and Salt Lake City from Jan. 23-Feb. 2.