The largest and most prestigious independent film festival in the U.S. could soon be getting a new home. The Sundance Film Festival, held annually since 1981, is currently located in Park City, Utah, but its organizers are considering moving the festival to other cities starting from 2027. This change could impact more than just the festivals' attendees; it has significant economic and cultural ramifications for both Utah and the film industry.
Currently, the winners and losers of the festival's potential relocation are being evaluated as thousands rally to support keeping it within Utah's borders. Locals and state officials are making fervent last-minute efforts to convince the festival leadership to remain at home. More than 20,000 festivalgoers are attending this year, wearing bright yellow stickers saying "Keep Sundance in Utah"—an indication of how passionate the community feels about this event.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox has stated emphatically, "Sundance is Utah, and Utah is Sundance. You can't really separate those two". His office is even urging the state legislature to allocate up to $3 million from the state budget to retain the festival, though initially, they were unwilling to match the financial efforts of competing cities.
The potential new locations include Salt Lake City, where Sundance might maintain some activities, as well as Boulder, Colorado, and Cincinnati, Ohio. Salt Lake City presents itself as the closest option, just 45 minutes from Park City. Nevertheless, the festival has been progressing toward options outside of Utah and identifying what they see as necessary improvements, as it believes the event has outgrown Park City.
With the festival expected to bring substantial economic supply to whichever city it might choose, estimates show it produced $132 million in total economic impact during its last iteration, illustrating how pivotal Sundance has been to Park City and surrounding areas. All this is happening at a time when hotel costs soar and main thoroughfares become congested with festival traffic. What used to be merely a ski town hosting film enthusiasts now fully transforms, creating both excitement and chaos, as local businesses brace for the winter influx.
Many locals are understandably worried about the festival's departure. Artists and filmmakers have established deep connections with Park City. Carin Ehrenberg, one of the festival's major donors, expressed her apprehension about moving the festival away from its moorings. She revealed, "If it goes to Cincinnati, maybe once in a blue moon we would go, but it wouldn't be a regular thing." Her husband, Roger, echoed her sentiments, showing their strong ties to the festival and how they view it as key to their cultural experience.
Others, like Meagan Nash, who owns the popular Handle restaurant, said losing Sundance would significantly impact her income during one of the few busy times of the year. “Sundance, literally, has been here my whole entire life... It would be a massive bummer if it went to another city.” Nash emphasizes how much the festival means to her community. Other business owners also report the festival's significance on their bottom line, such as Hudson Valeriano of Rio Transportation, who would be hit with a 30% revenue drop if it moved.
Despite these local fears, some find the possibility of relocation might offer newfound potential. Dr. Rhonda Taubin, who moved her family to the area from Atlanta, remarked about how Sundance creates transformative conversations within the community. She stated, "We watch provocative movies... I don't want it to end." These sentiments capture the celebration of creativity and discovery independent of geographical location.
The dialogue around potential new homes for Sundance is currently adrift. Governor Spencer Cox has petitioned for $3 million to keep the festival's roots embedded within Utah, yet the stakes grow with each passing day. Former festival director John Cooper weighed heavily on the cultural impact by saying, "The mountains of Utah, this was his vision. It's weird to say 'Sundance in Ohio.' But I think it could go anywhere. What it does for the community is so strong."
Meanwhile, festival organizers have reiterated the importance of creating accessibility through its new location, expressing concern over Sundance's perceived exclusivity which detracted focus from filmmaking and the arts. A change might reinforce the festival’s mission to remain grounded yet evolve, yet many festivalgoers and locals continue to weigh the loss of their beloved event's unique atmosphere if it leaves Park City.
While anticipation grows, the clock is ticking for all parties involved as Sundance plans to finalize their decision by the spring of 2025. The prospect of relocation has left many questioning what lies ahead for this iconic festival, one which has carved out its niche and legacy blending the visual arts with local traditions. This moment stands as both pivotal and poignant; whatever the final decision may be, only time will reveal and redefine Sundance's legacy to the state of Utah and the wider film community.