Sundance is one step closer to finalizing a home for 2027 and beyond.
On Friday, the Sundance Institute revealed a shortlist of cities that have been selected to move on to the next phase of its exploratory process to solidify a destination for the festival when its current contract with Park City expires. That list includes Atlanta; Boulder, Colorado; Cincinnati, Ohio; Louisville, Kentucky; Park City/Salt Lake City, Utah; and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Up next: Sundance Institute selection committee members will travel to those cities in coming weeks for site visits, with a final location expected to be announced by year’s end or during the first quarter of 2025.
The six finalists represent the roster that surfaced following a request for proposals that closed on June 21. As part of its evaluation, the Institute assessed “infrastructure, ethos and equity values, event capabilities to host the festival, and how each finalist could sustainably serve and support the ever-growing Sundance Film Festival community of independent artists and audiences,” per the festival.
It’s understood that the exploratory process will include a commitment for a long-term deal wherever the fest finds a home, and key to the discussions will be making sure that wherever it goes there will be transportation, adequate theater venues, hotels and lodging, and a community ready and willing to embrace the influx that comes with hosting thousands of film-lovers, auteurs and industry insiders.
There have long been rumblings and rumors about the festival moving out of Park City. Locals complain about the stress it brings to the small town — particularly during a busy ski season — with a massive influx of people crushing the city’s local business and public transport every January. For the past several years, Sundance has held more screenings and events outside of Park City in the much larger Salt Lake City, where the first iterations of the fest took place. As part of their proposal, the Utah cities are known to have submitted plans that would mark a change from previous years.
“As we very carefully consider this important decision for our festival, we believe these six finalists allow us the best opportunity to not only secure a sustainable future for our festival, but also to build upon its legacy while continuing to support the next generation of storytellers and highlight bold new works of art,” said Ebs Burnough, Sundance Institute board chair, and Amanda Kelso, Sundance Institute acting CEO, in a joint statement. “We are grateful to all the communities who have expressed interest and been a part of the process, and we have valued the opportunity to learn about the uniqueness of each location. We look forward to the site visits in each of the finalist cities.”
Sundance festival director and director of programming Eugene Hernandez said the process included “lively, creative and supportive conversations” with a host of elected officials including governors, mayors, arts advocates, film commissioners and other local leaders. “Getting to six finalists was a difficult decision. Each of these cities has a vibrant creative ecosystem, either expanding or established, and has enabled creativity to flourish in their cities through their support of the arts. These cities understand our ethos, are aligned with our key values, and have shown us interesting possibilities for partnership with our festival — for our artists, audiences and all who want to be a part of the Sundance Film Festival — and that makes us want to see more.”
As part of today’s reveal, the Sundance Institute distributed statements from a leader (or joint statement from leaders) representing each city. Those statements are below.
Atlanta, Georgia
“Atlanta is a diverse and inclusive city of creatives, thinkers, artists and storytellers who are aligned with the core values of the Sundance Film Festival and who want to see Atlanta add to the legacy of Sundance. As we move through this process, we will continue to shine a light on the art, culture and unique attributes of Atlanta in hopes of winning the opportunity to engage and inspire the next generation of Sundance filmmakers and attendees.” — Mayor Andre Dickens
Boulder, Colorado
“I am so excited that Colorado is a finalist to host the Sundance Film Festival. With the beautiful backdrop of the Flatirons, Boulder’s historical ties to the Redford Family, and the capacity to support a growing, inclusive festival, we are confident that Boulder, Colorado is the right home for the Sundance Film Festival. I am thrilled the Sundance Institute recognizes the potential in relocating to my hometown and look forward to the many benefits this would bring to the entire state, as well as to the Festival.” — Gov. Jared Polis
Cincinnati, Ohio
“For over a generation, with consistent support from the City of Cincinnati, Film Cincinnati has positioned the Cincinnati region as a go-to community for movies. We know how to nurture creative talent and the skilled workers behind the scenes, and we know how to celebrate them when they are on the big screen. Easily accessible to so much of the U.S. population, the Queen City is also a big league city for broader tourism, handling major events with professionalism and capacity. Both Cincinnati and the Sundance Film Festival are on the precipice for great change and we look forward to partnering and evolving together.” — Mayor Aftab Pureval
Louisville, Kentucky
“The City of Louisville and its diverse arts community is proud to be a finalist city for the Sundance Film Festival. Our rich history hosting world-class events, growing film industry, and commitment to sustainability position us as a perfect stage for the festival’s future. We are home to the greatest two minutes in sports and we are ready to host the greatest 10 days in film.” — Mayor Craig Greenberg
Park City/Salt Lake
“We’ve been fortunate to host the Sundance Film Festival and witness some of the greatest films made over the past 40 years. And now, we are committed to working in partnership on a new vision of ‘Two Cities, One Experience’ with a shared goal of reinvigorating the festival with an even greater tradition for storytelling over the next 40 years. At the heart of our proposal is a commitment to ensuring it remains an inspiring showcase of independent film, bringing together audiences and creators from all walks of life.” — joint statement from Mayors Nann Worel (Park City), Erin Mendenhall (Salt Lake City), Jenny Wilson (Salt Lake County)
Santa Fe, New Mexico
“Santa Fe and the Sundance Film Festival are a natural fit. Our shared values of inclusion, sustainability, and diversity have long been hallmarks of both our community and the festival’s independent spirit. Santa Fe will provide an authentic, unique, and inspiring home for storytellers of all kinds. Sundance’s sense of purpose and Santa Fe’s sense of place make this a partnership waiting to happen.” — Mayor Alan Webber