SALT LAKE CITY — The Sundance Film Festival is planning to open itself up for other cities to host, FOX 13 News has confirmed, setting the stage for the iconic international event to potentially move outside of Utah.
The Sundance Institute, which runs the festival, is intending to issue a "request for proposal" for other cities to play host. The current contract has the festival in Utah through 2026.
"We are in a unique moment for our Festival and our global film community, and with the contract up for renewal, this exploration allows us to responsibly consider how we best continue sustainably serving our community while maintaining the essence of the Festival experience,” said Eugene Hernandez, Director, Sundance Film Festival and Public Programming, in a statement released by the Sundance Institute.
"We are looking forward to conversations that center supporting artists and serving audiences as part of our mission and work at Sundance Institute, and are motivated by our commitment to ensure that the Festival continues to thrive culturally, operationally, and financially as it has for four decades."
During its two-week run every January, the Sundance Film Festival draws independent filmmakers, celebrities and even politicians to Park City and Salt Lake City to see movies and art projects that range from the Hollywood-ready to the avant-garde.
The Sundance Film Festival will open up next month for other cities to bid for the event, but it does not necessarily mean that it is leaving. Indeed, Utah would hold an incumbent advantage having hosted the event for more than 40 years. A decision by the festival on its future will be made at the end of this year or early 2025.
"It seems like this is just business," Virginia Pearce, the head of the Utah Film Commission, told FOX 13 News. "We certainly haven’t gotten any indications of we’re looking at things that Utah doesn’t have. "It’s more about the contract is up this is a good time to reevaluate and reassess."
Pearce said she could not imagine Utah without Sundance and would work to craft a proposal to convince the Sundance Institute to keep the festival in the state.
"I think it makes a lot of sense for them to stay. I think this is a good business practice. But I really believe at the end of the day they will realize again why Utah is the home of Sundance Film Festival," she said.
The Sundance Film Festival has been in Utah ever since it was founded in 1981 by the actor Robert Redford (taking over what was then known as the Utah/U.S. Film Festival).
"When the Sundance Film Festival first came to Park City in 1985, it was buoyed by a tight knit and passionate group of individuals who worked together to provide a voice for independent storytellers that became impactful beyond anyone’s imagination. The same could be said about Park City; 40 years ago, we were just starting to realize what this place could become. As Sundance grew, so did we — into a world-class mountain town that welcomes the world year-round," Park City Mayor Nann Worel said in a statement to FOX 13 News.
"We appreciate our partnership with Sundance, and we want the Festival to remain here for another 40 years. We will not be alone in the effort to ensure that Utah remains host to diverse new voices from around the globe. With gratitude to the thousands of volunteers, our dedicated workforce, our residents, and the passion of our visitor and resident film lovers — we will work collaboratively with all our state and local partners on next steps."
For Park City, Sundance is an economic engine. The ski resort town of 8,500 swells to more than 80,000 during the festival with people dining, skiing and partying in the community. But it also offers an opportunity to market Utah's movie and TV production industry to the world (Utah itself has a $600 million film and TV production industry). Even the Utah State Legislature regularly appropriates money to the Sundance Institute citing its economic and cultural impact to the state.
This year, it gave Sundance $1.3 million in taxpayer funds.
On Utah's Capitol Hill, lawmakers were confident they could persuade Sundance to stay. While the Utah legislature's red state politics often conflict with Sundance artists' values, FOX 13 News is told that was not a motivating factor for exploring other cities.
"I think Sundance and Utah are synonymous. I think they understand. We look forward to being competitive. We want to make sure they’re successful. They’ve been a great partner in Utah. We look forward to them staying here," Senate President J. Stuart Adams, R-Layton, told FOX 13 News.
House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, said "competition's always a good thing."
"I welcome the fact that they’re out looking to other areas. I think that’s good. I think they’ll find Utah’s the best place for Sundance," he said.
House Minority Whip Jennifer Dailey-Provost, D-Salt Lake City, said it was important to keep Sundance in Utah.
"They want Salt Lake City and Park City and the state of Utah to engage in conversations about what Sundance means for the state of Utah," she said. "If we have as a legislature been failing to have those conversations? It’s time to get it right."
In a statement to FOX 13 News, Governor Spencer Cox expressed optimism the festival would stay.
"For 40 years, the Sundance Film Festival has called Utah home, and thousands of Utahns have volunteered during the festival and welcomed the world. Our hardworking and caring people, stunning landscapes and an economy that is second-to-none have kept people and organizations coming back to Utah including the International Olympic Committee, Outdoor Retailers and corporations too numerous to count," he said. "The Beehive State has never been stronger and we’re excited to remind the Sundance Film Festival of all that Utah has to offer."
Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson (who used to work for the Sundance Institute prior to politics) immediately committed to working to keep the festival in Utah.
"For 40 years, the Sundance Film Festival has been a cultural and entertainment treasure in Utah. The festival reflects Utahn Robert Redford’s vision that the voices of film artists have a place in Utah and throughout the world. Salt Lake County is committed to partnering with Sundance, other governments, and the broader community to ensure that the festival remains an asset in Utah for decades to come," she said.
