LOS ANGELES (AP) 鈥� The Institute on Friday announced six finalists in its search for a new host location for the influential film festival.
the festival is eyeing locations across the country for festivals starting in 2027 when its existing contract will be up for renewal. The snowy mountain town, along with Salt Lake City, will still be home to the 2025 and 2026 festivals, and the Utah cities are one of the six options for future festivals.
The other five finalists are Atlanta; Cincinnati; Boulder, Colorado; Louisville, Kentucky, and Santa Fe, New Mexico. These cities are moving along in the selection process after a competitive request for proposal phase that started in May and saw submissions from across the country.
The potential host cities were selected for their ability to support the film festival鈥檚 growth and they will continue to be evaluated on each city鈥檚 infrastructure, accessibility, event venues and logistical capabilities, as well as their alignment with Sundance鈥檚 values.
鈥淎s we very carefully consider this important decision for our Festival, we believe these six finalists allow us the best opportunity to not only secure a sustainable future for our Festival, but also to build upon its legacy while continuing to support the next generation of storytellers and highlight bold new works of art,鈥� said Ebs Burnough, Sundance Institute board chair, and Amanda Kelso, Sundance Institute acting CEO, in a joint statement.
鈥淲e are grateful to all the communities who have expressed interest and been a part of the process, and we have valued the opportunity to learn about the uniqueness of each location,鈥� the statement continued. 鈥淲e look forward to the site visits in each of the finalist cities.鈥�
Sundance has long been a launching pad for independent filmmakers and has supported the early careers of , and more. Festival winners often become some of the year鈥檚 most acclaimed films. Last year鈥檚 festival produced Celine Song鈥檚 nominated for best picture and best screenplay. Other Sundance titles to reach the Oscars include 2022 best picture winner "CODA," (...Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised)鈥� and
The Sundance Institute noted that each of the finalist cities have strong arts communities with varied cultural backgrounds and potential for growth. The Robert Redford-founded festival has grown significantly since its inception.
Redford, who stepped back from the Sundance spotlight years ago, that the festival as it existed might have outgrown Park City and was thinking about ways to evolve. He and his daughter, Amy Redford, who is on the board, have been involved in the process according to an April announcement about the location search.
Mayors and governors from each of the selected cities have issued statements expressing their enthusiasm for the festival to move to their town (or remain there). Mayors Nann Worel of Park City, Erin Mendenhall of Salt Lake City and Jenny Wilson of Salt Lake County issued a statement that emphasizes the dual city hosting model, likely in response to concerns that Park City was no longer suitable for the ever-expanding festival.
鈥淲e are committed to working in partnership on a new vision of 鈥楾wo Cities, One Experience鈥� with a shared goal of reinvigorating the Festival with an even greater tradition for storytelling over the next 40 years,鈥� the mayor said in their statement.
Members of the Sundance Institute selection committee will visit each of the finalist cities in the coming weeks and a final decision is expected in early 2025.
Kaitlyn Huamani, The Associated Press
