DENVER — Will the Sundance Film Festival move to Colorado in 2027? That's what a coalition of regional partners in Boulder are hoping for after they submit a proposal Thursday to host the renowned independent film festival.
The State of Colorado made the announcement on Thursday on behalf of the Boulder Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Boulder) and its partners, which includes the City of Boulder, the Boulder Chamber, the University of Colorado Boulder and the Stanley Film Center. The city will submit its proposal to the Sundance Institute, which organizes the Sundance Film Festival, sometime Thursday.
The festival has called Park City, Utah home since its first year in 1985, where it screened 86 films, according to the festival's website.
In April, the Sundance Institute began a process to consider other host locations starting in 2027. Its current contract is up for renewal starting that year. Several cities requested more information in the aftermath, including Boulder. City representatives were invited to submit an application, which was put together by the Colorado Office of Film Television and Media, the Business Funding and Incentives division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, and Visit Boulder.
The application highlighted how Boulder and Colorado "can help preserve and grow an inclusive Festival centered around artists and filmmakers while engaging diverse audiences," the state said in a press release Thursday morning. It added that Boulder is close to the mountains, embraces the outdoors and creatives, is a walkable community with unique event spaces and is close to the Denver International Airport. As part of this proposal, the Colorado Economic Development Commission approved a one-time $1.5 million incentive on Thursday morning, and cash and in-kind contributions from the City of Boulder and regional partners will provide a match that "will substantially exceed one-to-one," the state said. In addition, the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade will contribute $325,000 to the proposal.
Hosting the Sundance Film Festival would create hundreds of new jobs, attracts thousands from out of state and increase winter tourism for the Boulder area, the state said. The visitors would also provide a boost to small businesses that rely on tourism. Eve Lieberman, executive director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, said the state's relative industries contribute $16.8 billion to the economy every year and account for about 4% of jobs.
"Hosting the prestigious Sundance Film Festival will grow the sector’s contributions to our state while raising Colorado’s profile across the globe, benefiting the many small businesses that depend on tourism and out-of-state visitors for their livelihoods,” she said.
The 2023 festival in Park City created 1,608 jobs for Utah residents, $63 million in wages and attracted 21,000 visitors from out of state. In total, it contributed more than $118 million to the state's economy, according to Colorado's press release.
“The Sundance Film Festival has a deep history in the Mountain West, and we can think of no better home for its next act than Colorado. With the Rocky Mountains as a backdrop and our deep commitment to the arts, we can help the Festival achieve even greater success while preserving what makes it special, building on Colorado’s iconic creative brand and our strong arts community,” said Gov. Jared Polis.
The 2025 and 2026 festivals will continue in Utah. The state will have the chance to keep the festival with its own proposal.
The final location selection will be announced later this year or early 2025, the Sundance Institute said.
“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,” said Eugene Hernandez, director of the Sundance Film Festival and Public Programming, in April. “We are looking forward to conversations that center supporting artists and serving audiences as part of our mission and work at Sundance Institute, and are motivated by our commitment to ensure that the Festival continues to thrive culturally, operationally, and financially as it has for four decades.”
In November, the Sundance Institute and Stanley Hotel in Estes Park announced that the iconic hotel would host the Sundance Institute Directors Lab in 2024.
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