Sundance Film Festival selects Boulder as new home starting 2027

Photo: Sundance // Maya Dehlin

BOULDER, Colo. — The Sundance Film Festival will relocate to Boulder, Colorado, beginning in 2027, ending its more than 40-year run in Utah, the Sundance Institute announced Thursday.

The independent film festival selected Boulder after a yearlong evaluation process that included Cincinnati, Ohio, and Salt Lake City, Utah, as finalists.

“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.

Festival organizers plan to center activities in downtown Boulder, utilizing various theaters and venues around the Pearl Street Mall pedestrian area, with additional locations on the University of Colorado Boulder campus.

“Boulder is an art town, tech town, mountain town, and college town. It is a place where the Festival can build and flourish,” said Amanda Kelso, Sundance Institute Acting CEO. “This is the beginning of a bold, new journey as we invite everyone to be part of our community and to be entertained and inspired. We can’t imagine a better fit than Boulder.”

Robert Redford, who founded the Sundance Institute in 1981, expressed gratitude to Park City while acknowledging the need for change.

“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,” Redford said. “As change is inevitable, we must always evolve and grow, which has been at the core of our survival.”

Park City Mayor Nann Worel expressed disappointment but pride in the city’s long association with the festival.

“Sundance’s departure marks the end of an incredible era, but not the end of Park City’s magic,” said Worel. “For over 40 years, we weren’t just the host of the Sundance Film Festival – Park City was part of the beating heart of the independent spirit that made it such a success. While I am deeply disappointed, I’m grateful for the legacy we built together.”

Worel added that Park City officials had worked diligently to keep the festival in Utah. “For the past year, we put our heart and soul into finding a way to keep Sundance in Utah. I am proud of our team in Park City and thankful to the Utah Bid Committee for their commitment and creativity. Frankly, I don’t know if there is anything else we could have done.”

Colorado Governor Jared Polis welcomed the announcement, highlighting economic benefits for the state.

“Colorado is thrilled to welcome the Sundance Film Festival to its new home in Boulder starting in 2027,” said Polis. “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.”

The 2026 Sundance Film Festival will take place in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah, from January 22 to February 1, 2026, before making the move to Colorado the following year.

Charlene Hoffman, Visit Boulder CEO, expressed enthusiasm about hosting the renowned festival.

“Creativity, innovation, and expression are at the heart of what makes Boulder special, and we’re ready to welcome storytellers and cinema lovers from around the world,” Hoffman said. “Our walkable downtown, iconic venues, and beautiful landscape at the base of the Rocky Mountains sets the stage for the Sundance Film Festival to flourish in its next chapter.”

“This city is ready to embrace emerging and established global storytellers, our staff and volunteers, and, of course, global audiences,” said Eugene Hernandez, Sundance Film Festival Director and Head of Public Programming. “Whether you are a Sundance Film Festival regular, or someone who has dreamed of experiencing the Festival in person, we invite you to join us in January 2026 in Utah and then come along to nearby Colorado in 2027.”