After over 40 years of memories in Park City, Utah, the Sundance Film Festival is officially moving to Boulder, Colorado, starting in 2027. The move came as a shock to many, prompting politicians and the local creative community to take to social media and share their concerns about how it will impact them and the state of Utah.
The move will undoubtedly impact Park City and the state of Utah, particularly the regional economy. In 2024, the festival drew 72,840 attendees and generated an estimated $132 million over 12 months.
Not only that, but the Sundance Film Festival has long stood as a pillar of the community and Utah’s independent film scene. Founded in 1981 in Park City by actor and director Robert Redford, the festival’s mission from the beginning has been to support independent filmmakers and their stories while helping them connect with audiences. Over the decades, the festival has introduced numerous new voices, promoted original storytelling, and supported a thriving arts and culture community in Park City and throughout Utah.
Following the announcement that the Sundance Film Festival would be moving to Boulder, the public had several questions. One of the most prominent was, “Why?”
Why is Sundance Moving? Organizers Point to Logistics While Others Wonder if it’s Political.
With the Sundance Film Festival’s deal with Park City set to end in 2026, festival leaders faced a decision to either remain in the city or depart. Talk of the festival “outgrowing” the ski town had become common, particularly from past visitors.
Robert Redford told the Associated Press in January of 2025, he was “starting to hear some negative comments about how crowded it is and how difficult it is to get from venue to venue when there’s traffic and people in the streets and so forth. We’re going to have to look at that.” Redford even had the idea of breaking up the festival into sections, rather than cramming everything into a tight 10-day window.
Boulder is 10 times the size of Park City, boasting more theatres, venues, and general space for the festival to take place. Sundance organizers were drawn to Boulder, not just for its size, but also for its “small-town charm with an engaged community, distinctive natural beauty, and a vibrant arts scene, making it the ideal location for the Festival to grow.” In the official announcement from Sundance Institute, Ebs Burnboughm, Sundance Institute Board Chair, stated that “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.”
Although Sundance’s organizers cited logistics as the reason for the move, some can’t help but notice the political atmosphere at the time of the festival’s departure. Sundance Film Festival announced they’re leaving Park City on March 27, 2025—the same day that Utah became the first state to ban flags, notably the Pride flag, at schools and government buildings.
Park City had already made a significant effort to keep the festival, but some have questioned whether the bill influenced the decision. The city’s Mayor Nann Worel stated in her State of the Park City address, “Unfortunately, a recent bill passed by the Utah legislature and comments made by some legislators have not been helpful in our bid to keep the festival here.” Additionally, Cameron Curtis, CEO of the LGBT Meeting Professionals Association, remarked on Boulder’s inclusivity, Sundance Film Festival’s new location: “While I understand Sundance organizers have cited logistical reasons for the move, they also emphasized Boulder’s welcoming environment as a factor. This suggests to me that Utah’s increasingly exclusionary policies may have influenced their decision and highlights the tangible consequences legislation can have on cultural and economic institutions.”
Sundance isn’t the only festival to leave Utah in recent years. The Slamdance Film Festival, which had been held in Park City for 30 years, relocated to Los Angeles in January 2025.
It’s unclear whether the Pride flag ban influenced the festival organizers’ decision to leave Park City. Governor Spencer Cox told reporters that Sundance organizers told leaders “very clearly that political issues have nothing to do with the decision.”
Sundance Moving Sparks Controversy Among the Local Community
When news broke that Sundance was moving to Boulder, several opinions swirled online.
Mayor Nann Worel spoke about how hard Park City tried to keep Sundance in its home and added, “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.”
Former Park City Mayor Dana Williams voiced concerns about the city losing out on the economic benefits the festival drew in, “I think there will always be events that want to come to Utah,” she said. “I think where we’re going to feel the loss is … a longtime partner will be gone.”
Numerous artists and creatives in Utah spoke out about the move on social media. Brandon Cummings, co-founder of Group Project, remarked, “Today, a bomb dropped on filmmakers and creatives in Utah,” calling it “devastating.”
On the other hand, local film organizations and independent filmmakers made promises that the film scene in Utah will continue to thrive.
The Salt Lake Film Society made a statement on the future of independent film in Utah, calling the state “a cornerstone of independent film” and noting that Utah’s “robust nonprofit film organizations, deep production resources, and century-long legacy of iconic films make it a powerhouse in the industry.”
The Utah Film Center added to its longstanding commitment to the state’s independent filmmakers and audiences in a public press release addressing Sundance’s move. The Film Center announced plans to renovate a downtown Salt Lake building, where it would eventually host year-round film programs and cultural events, as well as provide filmmakers with educational workshops and film exhibition spaces.
What’s Next for Utah’s Independent Film Scene?
The Sundance Film Festival will be held in Park City, Utah, once again from January 22 to February 1, 2026. Then, it will officially move to Boulder, Colorado, for the foreseeable future.
With this massive change in the regional film industry, many are asking: What’s next?
Despite the disappointment and surprise, several locals remain hopeful about the future of Utah’s independent film scene. Salt Lake City Mayor’s Deputy Chief of Staff Lindsey Nikola stated, “While this news is obviously disappointing, I’m encouraged for the future of the arts in Salt Lake City as we strive to expand opportunities for creative thinking and expression.”
Utah still hosts many other film festivals worth attending, including Utah Queer Film Festival (UQFF), FilmQuest in Provo, Wasatch Mountain Film Festival, DOCUTAH, and Fear No Film, among others.
Even as Sundance prepares to depart, Utah’s film industry remains competitive, buoyed by strong tax incentives, diverse landscapes, and an experienced local crew base shaped in part by decades of Sundance activity. Local politicians and creatives have promised to continue supporting and expanding the state’s film scene. Governor Spencer Cox has even hinted at interest in developing new events to help fill the gap Sundance will leave behind.
As Sundance prepares to leave Utah, one thing is clear: it’s time for the state’s film industry to evolve beyond the festival. With multiple film festivals taking place year-round, supportive legislative leaders, and a thriving arts community, the groundwork is already in place for that evolution.
Be a Part of Utah’s Film Scene & Partner With Avalanche Studios
While Sundance’s departure marks the end of an era, it also signals a turning point for Utah’s film industry—one defined by growth, adaptation, and new opportunity.
Companies like Avalanche Studios, which have proudly supported Sundance over the years and contributed to countless projects across the state and nationwide, continue to provide the production expertise and local knowledge filmmakers need to succeed in Utah. As the film community evolves, Avalanche Studios is ready to help bring your next project to life. Request a quote today to see how our award-winning team can support your production.
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