Sundance Film Festival: Coming to Boulder, Colorado in 2027
The Sundance Film Festival is relocating. As of , February 24, 2026, the festival will make its debut in Boulder, Colorado, in , running through . This marks a significant shift for the independent film showcase, ending its long-standing relationship with Park City, Utah.
The move to Boulder wasn’t a sudden decision. A proposal submitted in by the Boulder Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Boulder) laid the groundwork, gaining support from a broad coalition including the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), the Colorado Office of Film Television and Media, Colorado Creative Industries, the Colorado Tourism Office, the city of Boulder, the Boulder Chamber, and the University of Colorado Boulder, as well as the Stanley Film Center.
The economic impact of the festival is substantial. The 2024 Sundance Film Festival contributed over $132 million to Utah’s economy, generating 1,730 jobs and $69.7 million in wages. Colorado anticipates similar, and potentially growing, economic benefits from hosting the event. OEDIT expects a significant and growing economic impact to Colorado’s economy.
The University of Colorado Boulder is playing a key role in the transition, working closely with the Sundance Institute and the city to ensure a smooth integration. Four of the festival venues will be located on the CU Boulder campus, offering new opportunities for students, faculty, and staff. As CU Boulder Chancellor Justin Schwartz stated, “Several CU Boulder leaders were able to travel to Utah this winter and witness the creative and logistical feats underpinning this storied festival, helping us become well-prepared to serve as hosts in 2027.”
The decision to move comes after a bidding process, with Boulder ultimately winning out over other potential host cities, including Park City. Boulder put forward a compelling package, including $34 million in tax incentives over a 10-year deal, signaling a strong commitment to supporting the festival’s future.
While the festival’s physical location is changing, the Sundance Labs will remain in Park City, Utah. This suggests a continued commitment to the development and nurturing of independent filmmakers in that location, even as the public-facing festival shifts to Colorado. This separation of the Labs and the festival itself allows Sundance to leverage the strengths of both locations – Park City’s established infrastructure for filmmaker support and Boulder’s potential for audience engagement and a fresh start.
The move to Boulder is being framed as an opportunity to address some of the challenges faced in Park City, including shrinking theatrical venues and increasingly expensive lodging. The optimism surrounding the new location also stems from the potential for increased student participation from the University of Colorado Boulder and easier navigation throughout the city during the festival. The logistical bottlenecks experienced in Park City, such as Uber and Lyft congestion on Main Street and unreliable WiFi, are also expected to be mitigated in Boulder.
Eugene Hernandez, Director of the Sundance Film Festival and Public Programming, emphasized the collaborative spirit driving the transition. “Working closely with the Colorado community, the 2027 Sundance Film Festival is already in our sights as we build towards an exciting debut in Boulder where our programming will meet audiences next January,” he said. He described Boulder, nestled at the base of the Flatirons, as an “ideal setting for festivalgoers from across the world to come together, revel in art, spark conversation, and create unforgettable memories.”
The festival’s move represents more than just a change of scenery. It’s a strategic repositioning that aims to enhance the festival experience for both filmmakers and audiences, while also providing a significant economic boost to the state of Colorado. The hope is that Boulder will provide a sustainable and vibrant home for the Sundance Film Festival for years to come, continuing its legacy of championing independent storytelling.
Information about the 2027 Sundance Film Festival will continue to be updated on the Visit Boulder website, the CU Boulder webpage, and the official Sundance Film Festival website. Tickets for the 2027 festival are not yet on sale.