Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has been working “diligently” to keep Sundance Film Festival returning to Park City, Utah, he said at a press conference Thursday.
“I believe that Sundance is is an important part of the state of Utah and and has been for such a long time,” Cox said, noting that he has worked closely with the Utah Sundance Film Festival Host Committee and had conversations with the Sundance Executive Committee.
In April, Sundance Institute announced it opened a Request for Proposal as part of a process to explore locations across the country to host the film festival.
The festival’s contract with Park City is up for renewal in 2027, which provided Sundance Institute with the opportunity to consider new host cities for future festivals.
Utah is among three finalists selected by Sundance Film Institute to host the festival beginning in 2027, as previously reported by the Deseret News. In addition to Park City, Sundance Film Institute is considering Boulder, Colorado, and Cincinnati, Ohio, as future host cities.
A final decision will be announced in late winter or early spring following this year’s festival, and Cox said he would “be surprised if (the festival) didn’t stay” in Utah.
“We’ll have additional conversations going forward where there are several people involved in trying to make this happen,” Cox said at the Thursday press conference. “I think it would be a huge mistake for Sundance themselves to move. I think it would be really a death knell for Sundance.”
He later continued, “Sundance is Utah and Utah is Sundance. You can’t really separate those two. And so we’re just, we’re really hopeful.”
Due to Park City’s small-town infrastructure, accessibility has previously been a challenge for the festival, as reported by the Deseret News. Part of Cox’s proposed plan to keep the festival in Utah is to expand into Salt Lake City.
Cox called the plan “brilliant” and said he feels “very good” and “hopeful” about it.
“I care deeply about Sundance,” Cox said. “I care deeply the people that are involved with Sundance, many of them are dear friends and and people that we’ve worked with closely over many years.”
“So to our friends at Sundance, who are probably watching and listening this — this is your home, and we desperately hope it will be your home for forever.”
Sundance‘s economic impact
Sundance Film Festival is a an “incredible driver” for Utah’s economy, but the state’s economy won’t take a major hit if the festival leaves, Cox said at the Thursday press conference.
“Look, if Sundance decides to go, we’ll be fine,” Cox said. “I don’t think Sundance will be fine, but we’ll be fine.”
Tourists who visit Utah for the film festival spend an average of $735 per day on lodging, transportation, meals and other expenses. The typical out-of-state attendee spends more than $4,400 on the festival, per the Sundance Film Festival’s 2024 Economic Impact report.
In 2024, the festival generated $13.8 million in state and local tax revenue and $69.7 million in Utah wages, according to the 2024 Economic Impact report.
Lawmakers in Colorado passed legislation that offers $34 million in tax incentives to any film festival that sells at least 100,000 tickets and attracts over 10,000 out-of-state visitors, reported The Colorado Sun.
“While the film festival incentive legislation does not specifically name the Sundance Film Festival, there are few film gatherings that would qualify,” the outlet noted.
When asked about the new Colorado legislation, Cox responded, “I don’t think the taxpayers of Utah would appreciate a number of that size.”
He added that Utah might not be offering the “most lucrative package” and there are “states who can probably throw some more money at” the festival, but noted the value of Park City as a destination.
“Our economy will be okay. It won’t take a hit if Sundance were to leave,” Cox concluded. “But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do everything we can to keep it here.”
Sundance opens next week in Park City, Utah
In light of the ongoing wildfires in Southern California, the Sundance Film Festival will continue as planned and open in Park City next week.
“Our community has a history of coming together when passion and perseverance are needed most, drawing strength from the deep bonds that make us so resilient,” CEO Amanda Kelso and festival director Eugene Hernandez wrote in a joint statement, per The Hollywood Reporter.
“Right now, we may mourn, but we also know it is important to carry on.”
The film festival remains scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 23, through Sunday, Feb. 2, in Park City.
“The losses we’re witnessing and so many are experiencing are hard to fathom and deeply emotional,” Sundance leaders Hernandez and Kelso said.
“Yet, as we continue planning for the 2025 Sundance Film Festival — just 10 days away — we’re moved by the resilience amidst the devastating loss.”