After four decades rooted in Utah’s snowy slopes, the Sundance Film Festival is making a major move. Beginning in 2027, the iconic celebration of independent cinema will call Boulder, Colorado its new home.
The Sundance Institute made the announcement Thursday following a yearlong evaluation and proposal process that included bids from Salt Lake City, Utah and Cincinnati, Ohio. Ultimately, Boulder emerged as the future of Sundance—a college town nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, with a thriving arts scene, deep community engagement, and a creative spirit that aligns with the festival’s DNA.
“Boulder is an art town, tech town, mountain town, and college town,” said Amanda Kelso, Sundance Institute Acting CEO. “It is a place where the Festival can build and flourish.”
The new home will feature downtown venues, including theaters along Pearl Street Mall and spaces on the University of Colorado Boulder campus. This will set the stage for Sundance’s next era with a backdrop that blends natural beauty and innovation. The move also promises enhanced infrastructure and a commitment to affordability and sustainability—key to keeping independent film accessible and alive.
Robert Redford, who founded the Sundance Institute in 1981, acknowledged the bittersweet shift:
“Words cannot express the sincere gratitude I have for Park City and the Utah community that helped build the organization,” said Redford. “As change is inevitable, we must always evolve and grow. This move will ensure the Festival continues its work of risk taking, supporting innovative storytellers, and entertaining and enlightening audiences.”
The last Sundance Film Festival in Park City will take place in January 2026. Then, all eyes shift to Boulder for 2027 and beyond.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis celebrated the move as a win for the state’s creative economy, “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.”
Sundance Festival Director Eugene Hernandez added, “Whether you are a Sundance Film Festival regular, or someone who has dreamed of experiencing the Festival in person, we invite you to join us in 2026 in Utah—and then come along to nearby Colorado in 2027.”
While Park City will always be a formative chapter in Sundance history, the move to Boulder signals a bold, future-focused evolution. Independent film is getting a new zip code—and Boulder is ready to roll out the red carpet.
Got thoughts on the move? Planning your trip to Boulder 2027? Drop us a line.
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