Finalist cities announced to host Sundance Film Festival starting in 2027
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The nonprofit behind the Sundance Film Festival on Friday named the finalists in the running to host the iconic event starting in 2027.
Driving the news: Park City and Salt Lake City's joint bid made it to the last phase, along with five other cities:
- Atlanta
- Boulder, Colorado
- Cincinnati, Ohio
- Louisville, Kentucky
- Santa Fe, New Mexico
What they're saying: "We are committed to working in partnership on a new vision of 'Two Cities, One Experience' with a shared goal of reinvigorating the festival with an even greater tradition for storytelling over the next 40 years," according to a statement from Park City Mayor Nann Worel, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall and Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson.
- "Salt Lake and Park City are one of the bids that excites us," festival director Eugene Hernandez told Axios Salt Lake City.
State of play: In their pitches, each finalist had to demonstrate how they'd plan and sustain the festival.
- The Sundance selection committee will now visit the cities "to further explore the possibilities of hosting the festival," per a news release.
By the numbers: Out-of-state visitors, who made up a quarter of attendees at 2023's event, spent nearly $100 million in Utah during the festival, per an economic impact report by Y2 Analytics.
Catch up quick: Sundance's contract with Park City is set to expire after the 2026 festival, prompting officials to explore the possibility of relocating.
- Sundance began accepting initial bids from cities in April.
- Cities that didn't make the final round were not disclosed. Minneapolis, San Francisco and Savannah, Georgia, are among the known bidders.
Between the lines: The swanky resort town has largely shaped the festival's look and identity, and it's difficult to imagine Sundance moving to a city without snow-capped mountains.
Yes, but: Sundance has faced growing pains in Park City.
- Festival goers have complained for years about expensive and limited lodging options and issues traveling between venues due to traffic and frigid conditions.
Context: Robert Redford founded the festival in Utah more than four decades ago.
- It has helped launch the careers of directors Wes Anderson, Ava DuVernay and Quentin Tarantino.
What we're watching: An announcement about the 2027 site is expected at the end of this year or early 2026.