The Rocky Mountain high city of Boulder, Colorado, is rolling out the welcome mat for the Sundance Film Festival. There has been a lot of buzz about the festival possibly moving from its longtime Park City, Utah, location. Well, today it became official with announcements from the festival and on the Boulder Twitter/X page.
After a year-long search, Boulder won the bid for the prestigious festival. “Boulder is an art town, tech town, mountain town, and college town. It is a place where the Festival can build and flourish. This is the beginning of a bold, new journey as we invite everyone to be part of our community and to be entertained and inspired. We can’t imagine a better fit than Boulder.” Amanda Kelso, Sundance Institute Acting CEO, said in a news release.
Actor and filmmaker Robert Redford founded the Sundance Institute in 1981 to support independent films, storytelling, and media. The institute established the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, where it celebrated its 41st year in January 2025. Redford gave his blessing to the move. “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. ” Redford said in the release.
The festival will continue in Park City next year, then move to Boulder in 2027.
Also, in the news release, Governor Jared Polis expressed his enthusiasm for the festival making Boulder its new home. “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.”
