Sundance Film Festival Bids Emotional Farewell To Utah

The snow-dusted streets of Park City are buzzing with anticipation as the 2026 Sundance Film Festival opens its doors for the last time in Utah. This year’s gathering, which begins January 22 in both Park City and Salt Lake City, carries an unmistakable sense of nostalgia and transformation. For the first time in its four-decade history, the festival launches without its legendary founder, Robert Redford, whose passing in September 2025 marked the end of a remarkable era for independent film and for the state of Utah itself.

Robert Redford’s story with Utah is one of serendipity and vision. As reported by Filmogaz, Redford was just 18 when he found himself flunking out of college and, by chance, took a wrong turn on his motorcycle. That detour led him to a breathtaking view of Mount Timpanogos, a moment that would change the course of his life. Captivated by the landscape, Redford vowed to return. True to his word, in 1961, he purchased two acres in Provo Canyon for just $500. What began as a modest investment soon grew into a 5,000-acre mountain resort and wilderness preserve by 1969, which he aptly named Sundance.

But Redford’s ambitions extended far beyond real estate. In 1981, he founded the Sundance Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to nurturing independent filmmakers. Over the years, the institute has become a lifeline for emerging artists, offering more than $3 million in grants and mentorship to over 1,000 filmmakers annually, according to Filmogaz. The Sundance Film Festival, which started as a small gathering, soon blossomed into the country’s premier showcase for independent cinema, attracting cinephiles, industry insiders, and dreamers from all corners of the globe.

This year’s festival is especially poignant for Redford’s family. Amy Redford, his daughter and a filmmaker herself, reflected on the moment in a heartfelt interview with TODAY. “He was playful and curious and kind,” she recalled, describing the profound influence her father had on her and her siblings. “I think what he taught us to do is really find the thing that we’re most passionate about and the things we think might be able to change the world.” Amy emphasized that Redford’s approach to parenting—raising his children between the bustling energy of New York City and the tranquil mountains of Sundance—instilled a deep sense of stewardship and purpose in their lives.

The 2026 festival is not only a tribute to Redford’s legacy but also a farewell to Utah as the event’s longtime home. In March 2026, the Sundance Institute announced that the festival would relocate to Boulder, Colorado, starting in 2027. The decision, which Redford himself endorsed before his death, has been met with a mixture of disappointment and understanding among Utah residents. A poll cited by Filmogaz found that 56% of locals felt let down by the move. Governor Spencer Cox voiced his regret, predicting a lasting impact on both the festival and the state’s identity as a cultural hub. Former Governor Gary Herbert echoed this sentiment, noting how the festival had put Utah “on the map” as a destination for arts and creativity.

The economic impact of the festival on Utah has been nothing short of transformative. In 2022 alone, the Sundance Film Festival generated over $196 million for the state’s economy, drew nearly 30,000 out-of-state visitors, and created about 3,000 jobs, according to data reported by Filmogaz. The influx of filmmakers, critics, and fans each winter has supported local businesses, filled hotels, and energized the state’s creative community. Virginia Pearce, director of the Utah Film Commission, highlighted how Redford’s unwavering commitment to Utah inspired confidence among local filmmakers that their stories mattered on a national—and even global—stage.

Yet, the festival’s significance goes well beyond dollars and cents. For decades, Sundance has been a platform for marginalized voices and fresh perspectives, proving that groundbreaking art doesn’t have to come from Hollywood or New York. The festival’s ethos—rooted in Redford’s own instincts to challenge the status quo—has opened doors for countless artists who might otherwise have gone unheard. As Amy Redford put it, “If you tell him not to do it, that just means it hasn’t been done yet.” This spirit of innovation has shaped not only the festival but also the broader landscape of independent film.

This year’s edition will feature a series of special events in honor of Redford’s life and work. On January 23, a celebration will raise funds for independent artists through the Sundance Institute, and throughout the festival, screenings and talks will pay tribute to the man whose vision made it all possible. Redford’s influence is also felt in the personal stories of his family. He and his first wife, historian and activist Lola Van Wagenen, had four children—Shauna, Amy, Scott (who died in infancy), and Jamie (a documentary filmmaker who passed away in 2020). Redford later married German artist Sibylle Szaggars in 2009. Despite personal losses, the family has largely remained out of the public eye, choosing to honor their father’s legacy through quiet stewardship and creative pursuits.

While the festival prepares to say goodbye to Utah, the Sundance Institute itself will remain in the state, continuing its mission to support independent artists. The challenge now, as Filmogaz notes, is for Utah to redefine its film identity without its signature event. The departure of the festival marks the end of an era, but it also opens the door to new possibilities for both the state and the world of independent cinema.

As the final credits roll on this chapter of Sundance’s history, the legacy of Robert Redford and the festival he built endures. The mountains of Utah may soon fall silent in January, but the spirit of creativity, risk-taking, and community that Redford fostered will echo for generations to come.