Top 5 Utah Film Festivals: Beyond Sundance

Why Utah?

With majestic landscapes and a culturally diverse arts community, Utah is a natural hub for numerous film festivals. From the delicate arches of Arches National Park to the views of Zion National Park, Utah is brimming with inspiration for filmmakers and creatives. Unsurprisingly, dozens of famous movies have been filmed in Utah! The state’s rugged geography and vibrant array of innovative art exhibits, concerts, writing programs, theater events, film festivals, and dance performances draw artists and audiences alike. With a 22% growth in arts and entertainment employment, Utah is the bedrock of the arts and creative industries.

Since the 1920s, Utah has been a chosen destination for thousands of film productions. The state’s physical, cultural, and spiritual openness allows filmmakers to explore new horizons, making it an increasingly popular landing place for countless film festivals. To bring Utah to the forefront of the global film industry, several visionary individuals have established international film festivals in this naturally stunning state. From independent to queer-focused festivals, there’s something for everyone in Utah. Keep reading to discover the festivals hosted here and decide which one you’d like to attend first!

5 Must-Visit Film Festivals in Utah

Whether you live in Utah or would like to visit, here are 5 film festivals you’ll want to mark on the calendar:

1. Sundance Film Festival: Park City, Utah

Sundance Film Festival is the biggest independent film festival in the US, attracting more than 420,000 people in person and online. Dating back to 1978, the Sundance Film Festival is held every winter primarily in Park City, Utah, with additional venues in Ogden and Salt Lake City. For the 10-day event, attendees experience hundreds of film screenings, panel discussions with directors and actors, film-focused workshops, and filmmaker Q&A sessions. You’ll most likely stumble upon the festival’s red carpet, where celebrities like Kristen Stewart, Will Ferrell, Steven Yeun, Julia Fox, and Pedro Pascal have walked.

Tickets for the Sundance Film Festival can be purchased online. They start at $25 but can range up to thousands of dollars, depending on the type of package you are buying. For example, the more in-person screenings you’d like to attend, the steeper the price.

Do you want to plan a vacation to Park City for the annual Sundance Film Festival? Here are 3 insider tips to keep in mind when preparing for your trip:

1. Dress for cold weather. January is cold, especially in a mountain town like Park City, Utah. When packing for the festival, bring an excess of lawyers. Coats, scarves, warm socks, and thermal pants are recommended for your trip to Northern Utah. Don’t forget to pack a solid pair of winter boots for your trip. While fashion is key during the Sundance Film Festival, it’s not worth suffering in the cold. Combine style with warmth during your trip to enjoy the festival without being hindered by the frigid weather.
2. Study the festival schedule before attending. Although Sundance lasts 10 days, many attendees stay for the first weekend and head out afterward. This is when top-notch celebrities are here, buzz-worthy premieres take place, and exciting after-parties are held. However, if your schedule allows, we recommend staying for 10 days. Once the first weekend is over, the traffic dies down, and you’ll still find plenty of events to choose from and celebrities to spot with the benefit of fewer crowds. Whatever you decide, check the ever-changing schedule to ensure you appear at the premiers, Q&A sessions, and parties you most want to attend.
3. Figure out where you’ll stay and how you’ll get around way in advance. Once you’ve decided to attend Sundance, you don’t want to wait to book your lodging. We recommend Park City’s hotel rooms, Deer Valley condo shares, Airbnbs, or even ski dorms. You must find a place in Park City rather than nearby cities like Salt Lake or Heber; commuting to Park City is difficult in the winter, especially with the thousands of Sundance attendees taking over the quaint mountain town. Additionally, find a place that’s close enough to the action. Try Main Street, Deer Valley, Park City Mountain Base, Fresh Market, the Eccless Center, or near the Sheraton, where Sundance headquarters is located. Once you’re in Park City, the free shuttles will be your new best friend. Luckily, the festival transit system has been running for years, providing quick loops around the town to significant theaters, hotels, and grocery stores.

2. Utah International Film Festival: Vineyard, Utah

The Utah International Film Festival (UIFF) in Vineyard, Utah, provides screenings, panels, and countless networking opportunities yearly. Usually taking place in February or March, this festival features films from various genres, including narrative features and short films, animations, music videos, documentaries, and countless more. With guest celebrities like Sean Astin, Taylor Sheridan, Lauren Lapkus, and Jon Heder making appearances, the Utah International Film Festival is an incredible opportunity to appreciate the beauty of filmmaking and meet your favorite actors.

In addition to film screenings, workshops, and a one-of-a-kind screenplay competition, UIFF presents several networking events, such as a filmmaker’s breakfast, roller skating party, VIP dinner, and even a masquerade ball. Whether you’d like to see award-winning filmmakers answer your burning questions or spot your favorite celebrity on the red carpet, UIFF is Utah’s premier film festival and award show you don’t want to miss.

UIFF also hosts various events throughout the year; check out their website for an updated schedule. Tickets can be purchased online for each screening or event.

3. Zion Indie Film Festival: Orem, Utah

The Zion Indie Film Festival (ZIFF) is a stimulating festival presenting cinematic stories from independent filmmakers worldwide. Located in the SCERA Center in Orem, Utah, the Zion Indie Film Festival draws in a well-versed and diverse group of film enthusiasts, industry leaders, movie critics, film students, government officials, and sponsors to appreciate the art of filmmaking. 

ZIFF showcases dozens of film screenings from categories such as documentary features, short films, featured films, music videos, short screenplays, and more. The festival’s “Pictures’s Up” Series features conversations, workshops, and anticipated panels surrounding filmmaking and collaboration with today’s leading industry professionals. ZIFF’s Table Read Series brings actors to center stage, showcasing how they bring characters to life and what it takes to bring the creative process to life. 

All-fest tickets for ZIFF are purchased online. The festival often takes place between February and March every year. ZIFF partners with La Quinta Inn & Suites in Orem, Utah, to provide guests with block hotel accommodation pricing for the festival. We recommend booking the venue in advance to ensure you earn your spot for this locally beloved festival. 

At ZIFF, you’ll have the chance to meet high-profile filmmakers and learn the ins and outs of the film industry. With a focus on inspirational, uplifting, and all-around entertaining cinematic stories, you’ll leave Zion Film Festival feeling imaginative and full of creative ideas.

4. Utah Queer Film Festival: Salt Lake City, Utah

Formerly known as Damn These Heels Queer Film Festival, the Utah Queer Film Festival (UGFF) in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a unique experience representing Utah’s diverse LGBTQIA+ community and its supporters. The Mountain West’s longest-running LGBTQ+ film festival, UGFF, stands as a testament to the triumphs, challenges, rich history, and culture of Utah’s queer community through high-level films and events.

UGFF is a festival you want to attend. It is jam-packed with film screenings, workshops, panels, parties, and special guests celebrating life-changing queer stories. The lineup of films often includes inspiring true stories, inspirational short films, and feature films that empower the LGBTQIA+ community.

Tickets can be purchased online in advance (which we recommend) or in person at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center during the festival. UGFF offers festival passes ranging from $40–300 and individual tickets starting at around $15. The Utah Queer Film Festival is an annual event often held at the end of October, and there’s also an option to watch this event virtually if you’re unable to attend in person. Whether you’re a longtime supporter or new to the scene, UGFF offers an unforgettable experience that celebrates and uplifts the queer community.

5. DOCUTAH International Film Festival

Located within the breathtaking red rock canyons of Southern Utah is the DOCUTAH International Film Festival hosted by Utah Tech University. DOCUTAH is held in St. George, Utah, bringing together filmmakers and film enthusiasts for a unique weekend celebrating the art and power of documentary films. Founded by 30-time Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Phil Tuckett, DOCUTAH seeks to open viewers’ minds through intentionally crafted cinematic storytelling. This Southern Utah film festival educates and inspires by showcasing true stories, offering master-class seminars, and fostering a community of like-minded film enthusiasts who share a passion for the art of storytelling. 

Tickets for DOCUTAH range from $10 to $75 and can be purchased on-site at the festival. Often held at the beginning of every year, DOCUTAH is an exhilarating weekend of screenings, conversations with film professionals, and opportunities to connect with other filmmakers.

Featuring top-rated documentaries from around the world, DOCUTAH is an experience every film enthusiast and creative shouldn’t miss. Throughout the weekend, dozens of documentaries are screened and appreciated by audiences and critics alike. The festival hosts “DOCtalks” every night, featuring film industry professionals sharing their experiences and the complex process required to make a critically acclaimed film. Numerous mixer events are hosted at DOCUTAH, allowing attendees to meet well-known filmmakers or mingle with other film lovers. On the last day, several awards are given to DOCUTAH’s entrants, including Best Feature, Audience Favorite-Feature, Best Foreign Film, and more. The festival lineup can be found on their website.

Honorable Mentions: 3 Additional Unique Film Festivals in Utah

Here are a few additional lesser-known but equally inspiring film festivals that take place in Utah:

1. Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour

The Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival is based in Banff, Canada. Still, it travels worldwide to over 50 countries, hosting several screenings of films about the mountain lifestyle, highlighting the spirit of adventure and the challenge of adrenaline-pumping outdoor experiences. Often taking place around February or March every year, the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour has been hosted in Utah cities such as Logan, Orem, Ogden, Moab, Salt Lake City, and St. George. Check the World Tour website for more information about where live screenings occur and when they happen. 

Film programs vary depending on each location of the festival’s tour, so it’s essential to check with the local host organizer for more information about which films will be viewed at every location. The Banff World Tour team licenses around 30 films annually, featuring a range of categories and themes, including climbing, kayaking, skiing, biking, adventure, culture, and environment. Most screenings include individual host organizers set 6–8 films and ticket prices. If you’re an adventure-loving film enthusiast, check if the Banff World Tour Festival is happening near you!

2. Red Rock Film Festival

Hosted every fall in Cedar City, or “Festival City” of the USA, is the Red Rock Film Festival. Just 20 minutes from world-renowned landmarks, such as Kolob Canyon in Zion National Park, Cedar Breaks National Monument, and Brian Head Ski Resort, is the Red Rock Film Festival, ideal for vacation-seeking film enthusiasts and creators. With inspiring film screenings, exciting parties, and informational workshops, this festival is a dream for filmmakers and those passionate about cinematic storytelling. The festival features short and full-length feature films from all genres, promoting original works that redefine media through creativity, innovation, and authenticity. Tickets range from $10-100 and can be purchased online. Don’t miss out on this eclectic film festival set against the backdrop of one of the most stunning and scenic regions in the United States.

3. Fear No Film Festival

The Fear No Film Festival is held at the Utah Arts Festival, one of the largest and most culturally diverse artistic showcases in the western United States. The ticketless festival features short films from various categories, including narrative, documentary, animated shorts, and more. The Fear No Film Festival is a family-friendly event highlighting first-time filmmakers, groundbreaking student work, and short films from worldwide filmmakers. The Utah Arts Festival takes place every summer and is a must-visit attraction for creatives, film enthusiasts, and those passionate about art. At the end of the festival, non-cash awards are given by the Grand Jury, the Utah Arts Festival, and audience voting. We recommend watching a few screenings at the Fear No Film Festival and taking breaks to view the Utah Arts Festival’s collection of contemporary, thought-provoking, and fun artworks.

Make Your Festival-Worthy Film With the Guidance of Avalanche Studios

Are you working on a film and needing professional guidance to elevate it to a festival-worthy cinematic masterpiece? If you dream of creating a film that wins awards at Utah’s film festivals, Avalanche Studios has got you covered. With decades of experience and the trust of the Sundance Film Festival for producing high-quality video content, our team is unmatched in crafting award-winning visual stories deserving of festival screenings. 

Whether you’d like to add an aerial shot to your film or need our expertise in the post-production process, Avalanche Studios can do it all. We provide comprehensive video production services to ensure your life-transforming story is communicated with the world. Request a quote from our team to start building a festival-worthy remarkable film.