Photo courtesy Raffi Asdourian/Flickr/ Public News Service
Alex Gonzalez, producer/reporter, Utah News Connection, a bureau of Public News Service.
The future of the Sundance Film Festival in Utah could depend on whether an anti-Pride bill is signed into law by Gov. Spencer Cox.
The governor has until this Thursday , March 27, to decide the fate of House Bill 77. The Republican-backed bill would ban LGBTQ+ Pride flags at Utah public schools and government buildings. Backers said it is about promoting political neutrality but the LGBTQ+ community and allies argued it would be an unconstitutional overreach of government.
An anonymous Sundance insider has said if the bill passes, it could affect Utah’s ability to keep the film festival for another decade.
Cox aid it would be a mistake for Sundance to leave.
“We’ve been told by the board, very clearly, that political issues have nothing to do with their decision,” Cox explained. “And so, I’m going to take the board at their word.”
The Sundance Film Festival has called the Beehive State home since its inception in 1978. Last year, Sundance generated more than $130 million for the state, according to the festival’s 2024 economic impact report. While many want to see it continue in Park City, other states are already eyeing the festival for possible relocation.
Festival’s contract deadline coming up
The contract between Sundance and Park City is set to expire after 2026 and Cox pointed out Utah has put together what he calls “a competitive package” for the festival to remain. Sundance has been known to highlight and give queer, independent and sometimes controversial films a platform despite Utah’s conservative values. Even so, the governor noted people have come to associate Sundance with Utah.
“I’ve talked to people in Hollywood, I’ve had conversations. They laughed when they found out Sundance was even considering leaving, they couldn’t believe it,” Cox emphasized. “Sundance will make their decision. It would be an economic hit to the State of Utah if they left but we’ll be fine.”
Cox added he does not see how taking the festival elsewhere would positively affect the state’s LGBTQ+ population and thinks more could be done for the community by keeping the event in Utah.
If Cox takes no action on the bill by the Thursday deadline, it will becomes law without the governor’s signature.
