Utah tourist economy takes $132 million hit with Sundance moving to a new city
The Sundance Film Festival is moving to Boulder, Colorado, in 2027
The Sundance Film Festival, considered the most influential cinematic launching ground for indie movies, is going to look a lot different in the coming years. In 2027, the festival is set to leave its longtime home in Park City, Utah, for the equally snowy pastures of Boulder, Colorado.
Although Sundance has been vague about the reason for the move, attendance has been in steep decline post-pandemic, and the limited lodging in the vicinity makes it a costly trip for both spectators and industry professionals. One filmmaker told SFGATE that a trip to the festival exceeded the entire budget of her short film.
The decision comes after a competitive bidding period in which San Francisco threw its hat into the ring. Ultimately, the choice came down to three options: shifting primary operations to Salt Lake City while maintaining some presence in Park City, moving to Cincinnati, Ohio, or packing up for Boulder.
“Boulder is an art town, tech town, mountain town, and college town. It is a place where the Festival can build and flourish,” said Sundance Institute acting CEO Amanda Kelso in a news release. “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.”
The pedestrian-only Pearl Street Mall is slated to be one of the main sites of the festival, along with the University of Colorado Boulder campus and other venues scattered throughout the city. Colorado has offered the festival up to $34 million in refundable tax credits in a bipartisan bill that is making its way through the state Legislature but has faced Republican opposition.
Given the high cost of lodging in Park City, where attendees often pay hotel prices for couch space in packed condos, the decision will likely make the festival more accessible. However, it may prove a serious blow to Utah’s tourist economy, which over the past 41 years has come to rely on the festival for an annual $132 million dollars of economic impact.
