Iconic Sundance Film Festival to change location of the venue for the first time in over 40 years 

Sundance Film Festival has long been a launchpad for groundbreaking independent cinema as the organization has constantly supported and uplifted films of all kinds, providing the best ones with a seal that comes with it's own weight of respect.

For more than four decades, the festival has been held in Park City, Utah as it invites in filmmakers and teams to the city in the corner of Western United States. However, as a first for the organization, Sundance has just announced that they will now be choosing a new city to host the event, leaving behind Park City, as they're all set to mark their presence in Boulder, Colorado.

After a year-long search in which many American regions competed to host the country's largest independent film festival, organizers made their announcement this Thursday. Festival organizers have also reaffirmed that their decision to relocate from Utah to Colorado was not driven by politics of any time. However, it is important to note that Colorado is far more liberal than Utah.

Boulder caught the attention of organizers because it was a medium-sized, walkable, and environmentally friendly city. It is home to the University of Colorado, where the film program adds to a thriving creative community, and boasts one of the greatest concentrations of professional artists in the United States, according to Sundance leaders. Most likely the sizable student body and campus locations will open up new avenues for involving youth in the event. There will be an expansion for the festival and it's ever evolving joiners as independent filmmakers will continue to get the festival's attention.

As Variety has reported, speaking about the decision to change locations, founder of Sundance Film Festival, Robert Radford has said:

“What we’ve created is remarkably special and defining. As change is inevitable, we must always evolve and grow, which has been at the core of our survival. This move will ensure that the Festival continues its work of risk taking, supporting innovative storytellers, fostering independence, and entertaining and enlightening audiences. I am grateful to the Boulder community for its support, and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for the festival there.”

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What Sundance Film Festival's new location means in financial terms

Sundance Film Festival had a huge contribution to Utah's overall economy and business as the small town became quite famous, thanks to the legendary event.

During the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, out-of-state tourists spent $106.4 million in Utah. With 1,730 employment opportunities for Utah residents and $70 million in pay for local workers, its overall economic impact that year was expected to be $132 million. Sundance was given $3.5 million by Utah to stay. To entice it away, Colorado lawmakers offered $34 million in tax breaks spread over ten years.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis's welcomed the organization happily as he stated:

“Here in our state we celebrate the arts and film industry as a key economic driver, job creator, and important contributor to our thriving culture. Now, with the addition of the iconic Sundance Film Festival, we can expect even more jobs, a huge benefit for our small businesses including stores and restaurants.”

The 2026 Sundance Film Festival will take place around January 22–February 1, 2026.