Sundance Film Festival mulls over potential relocation among 15 finalists
The Sundance Film Festival, an esteemed indie event founded by Robert Redford, is contemplating a potential move from its long-standing base in Park City, Utah, reported Deadline. Fifteen cities including Atlanta, Athens, and Savannah in Georgia; Santa Fe in New Mexico; San Francisco; and jurisdictions in upstate New York and North Carolina have been shortlisted for hosting the festival. The current contract with Park City extends through the 2025 fest and the 2026 SFF.
Utah strives to retain iconic Sundance Film Festival
Despite the potential relocation, there are indications that Sundance may prefer to stay in its traditional home. The festival is reportedly seeking a better deal to address growth and change issues that have impacted it in recent years. In response, Park City and Utah have pledged a "team effort" to retain the festival, with Governor Spencer Cox leading a newly formed Utah Sundance Film Festival Host Committee.
Utah's commitment to re-imagining future festivals
Virginia Pearce, Director of the Utah Film Commission, has expressed the state's commitment to the festival. She stated, "We're committed to collaboratively re-imagining future festivals, inspiring film enthusiasts, and preserving the Festival's connection to its home state." The decision on Sundance's potential relocation is expected internally by September 2025. The final announcement will likely be made public at the end of Sundance 2025 around February 2.
