Sundance Film Festival seeking new host starting 2027

The Sundance Film Festival is looking for a new city to host the event from 2027 onwards. The organisation announced that they are accepting proposals from American cities interested in hosting the festival starting in the aforesaid year. Since 1981, it has been held in Park City, Utah, with the exception of the virtual pandemic years. Originally launched in Salt Lake City as the Utah/U.S. Film Festival in 1978, it will remain in Park City for two more years. The decision comes as the current contract with Park City nears its end. Utah is still being considered as a future home for the festival.

“We are in a unique moment for our festival and our global film community, and with the contract up for renewal, this exploration allows us to responsibly consider how we best continue sustainably serving our community while maintaining the essence of the festival experience,” stated Eugene Hernandez, the festival's director and head of public programming. The organisation is “motivated by our commitment to ensure that the festival continues to thrive culturally, operationally, and financially as it has for four decades,” Hernandez added.

A special committee is accepting requests for information (RIFs) from prospective host cities until May 1 this year. It will involve a proposal phase, which will reportedly end by June. Founder Robert Redford and his board member daughter Amy are part of the process. The organisation will announce a new host city for the festival by 2024 or early next year.