Denver misses bidding deadline to host Sundance Film Festival
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The curtains have closed on Denver's chance to host the Sundance Film Festival — one of the movie industry's most prominent annual events.
Why it matters: Wednesday marked the deadline for cities to submit a request to host the iconic event beginning in 2027, after Sundance announced last month that it would consider other U.S. cities to house the festival.
- Sundance — the largest independent film festival in the U.S. — has been headquartered in Park City, Utah since the late 1970s, where it attracts roughly 80,000 attendees each winter and generates more than $100 million in economic impact.
The intrigue: Despite Denver leaders believing the city would make a "fantastic location" for the festival in the future, they weren't made aware of the hosting opportunity, Office of Special Events executive director Katy Strascina tells us.
- "Sometimes with these large bids, the event has a list of desirable cities they want to submit a bid. Perhaps they only sent it to their top candidates?" she surmises.
What they're saying: Denver Film CEO Kevin Smith tells us his priorities center around bolstering what's already been built in Denver.
- "Our primary goal is to continue elevating the Denver Film Festival," which Smith says is the Rocky Mountain region's largest and longest-running celebration of cinema.
Zoom in: DFF, now in its 47th year, draws roughly 20,000 people over 10 days to the Sie FilmCenter and other local venues, including the Buell Theatre and Ellie Caulkins Opera House.
- Last year, the festival showed nearly 200 films, documentaries and Oscar nominees. It generates hundreds of thousands of dollars in ticket revenues.
What's next: Mayor Mike Johnston's office says the city remains eager to host more events.
- "If there's a process and opportunity in the future based on timing and budget, we are open to the Sundance Festival coming to Denver," his spokesperson Jose Salas tells us.
What we're watching: Numerous cities, including Atlanta, Minneapolis, San Francisco and Santa Fe, New Mexico, have expressed interest in becoming Sundance's new home, Axios Salt Lake City's Kim Bojórquez reports.