Utah conservatives to Sundance: Don't let the door hit you on your way out
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
The Egyptian Theatre during the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Photo: David Becker/Getty Images
Some of Utah's conservative leaders are encouraging Sundance to leave following a report that the state's pending ban on pride flags could push the film festival out the door.
The latest: Deadline, citing an anonymous source, reported Wednesday that a state bill to ban pride flags from schools and government buildings could tip the scales as the festival decides whether to relocate.
- Sen. Dan McCay (R-Riverton) posted the story on X, claiming that Sundance promotes "porn," "alternative lifestyles" and "anti-LDS themes."
- "Sundance does not fit in Utah anymore," McCay wrote. The post was shared by at least one other Republican lawmaker and some prominent conservative activists. Goud Maragani, a recurring GOP presence in Salt Lake County elections, also called on Sundance to leave.
Catch up quick: Until Wednesday, state and local leaders had been trying to keep the 41-year-old film festival after it sought bids last year from other prospective host cities.
- Festival organizers had planned to announce the future location within weeks, having narrowed the options down to staying put, Cincinnati or Boulder, Colorado.
- To sweeten the deal, lawmakers this month surpassed Gov. Spencer Cox's request for $3 million to keep the festival local, instead budgeting $3.5 million.
What they're saying: "What are they thinking?" a source, identified as a "Sundance insider" told Deadline in reference to lawmakers who passed the pride flag ban.
- "Utah is Utah, but this goes to the heart of the community Sundance has worked years and years to develop," the source added.
The other side: "As Sundance weighs its future, I sincerely hope they choose to stay in Utah, maintaining our valuable partnership," Utah Senate President Stuart Adams (R-Layton) wrote in a prepared statement.
- Adams dropped a reference to the Fairness For All Act, a 2015 compromise that upheld anti-discrimination statutes but carved out religious exceptions. "We are committed to continuing this approach by upholding the spirit of fairness in all aspects," he said.
Festival organizers did not respond to Axios' request for comment.
Reality check: Sundance has screened a variety of films, including many children's films, documentaries, Oscar winners and movies that launched some of the most celebrated talents in the industry — or went on to be canonized as pioneering classics of cinema.
By the numbers: Out-of-state visitors spent $106.4 million during last year's festival, which drew over 72,000 in-person attendees, per an economic impact report.
Yes, but: In Park City, where most of the films and events take place, the festival has gotten increasingly mixed reviews as it has grown.
- Attendees have complained of traffic, pricey lodging and large corporations and brands taking over the festival's independent vibe.
- "Sundance used to have such an artful pulse on the street that went beyond the films. Now it all seems to be gone and replaced with police presence and regulations," a Park City business owner told Variety in a January article.
What's next: The 2026 festival, which could be Utah's last, is scheduled for Jan. 22–Feb. 1.
What we're watching: Whether Cox signs the pride flag ban.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to include comments from Utah Senate President Stuart Adams.