Sundance's Boulder debut comes into focus
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Sundance organizers revealed details of its 2027 festival, posting premiere dates, venues and expanded programming for its Boulder debut, Jan. 21-31.
Why it matters: The festival's move to Boulder won't just change its backdrop. It'll reshape where people watch the films, where the industry — and celebs — gathers and how the event practically works.
📍 If you go: World premieres will run Jan. 21-26, followed by repeat screenings through the festival's closing weekend.
- Online screenings return Jan. 28-31.
- Sundance's annual fundraising gala is set for Jan. 22, though organizers haven't revealed where it will be held.
🏨 Festival HQ: Hotel Boulderado
- The iconic hotel recently changed ownership, and employees are in the midst of trying to unionize.
🍿 Where you'll watch: Screenings and festival events will spread across:
- Macky Auditorium
- Roe Green Theatre
- Muenzinger Auditorium
- Boulder Theater
- eTown Hall
- Canyon Theater
- Chautauqua Auditorium
- Dairy Arts Center
- Boulder High School
- Casey Middle School.
Organizers are also upgrading these sites ahead of screenings.
📰 For the media: Cinemark Century Boulder will host press and industry screenings Jan. 21-29.
- 🗯️ My thought bubble: As member of said press, it might seem ironic to attend a film festival in an actual movie theater.
- But it does mean lots of screens and working Icee machines.
🎥 Also new: Four competition categories — U.S. Dramatic, World Cinema Dramatic, U.S. Documentary, and World Cinema Documentary — will expand the number of nominees from 10 to 12.
- The expanded Offscreen program (formerly Beyond Film) will bring talks, events and live podcast recordings to Boulder.
- New Frontier FLUX, Sundance's reimagined art and emerging technology program, will return, though its location has not yet been announced.
- International film critics group FIPRESCI will present awards at Sundance for the first time.
- The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has made Sundance an Oscars-qualifying festival for World Cinema Grand Jury Prize winners.
📆 What's next: Pass and ticket details arrive in September, with sales beginning in October.
- The 2027 film lineup will be announced in December.