Longtime festivalgoers say the final Sundance in Utah may also be their last
A question hangs heavy in the air at the Sundance Film Festival: will attendees follow the event when it relocates from Park City, Utah, to Boulder, Colorado? For many long-time festivalgoers, the answer appears to be no, with some declaring this year’s event the last true Sundance.
A Legacy Rooted in Utah
Butch Ward, a Sundance attendee since the early 1990s, believes a Sundance outside of Utah simply won’t capture the spirit of the festival he’s come to love. This sentiment is widely shared, with attendees expressing a deep connection to Park City and the traditions established there.
Visible displays of protest and mourning are already emerging. Attendees were seen wearing yellow scarves proclaiming “Our last Sundance 2026,” and others carried signs declaring this year’s festival “the last Sundance.”
Redford’s Vision and the Move
The emotional response is tied to the legacy of Robert Redford, who died in September at age 89. Many believe his vision for Sundance was intrinsically linked to its location. Actor Suzie Taylor, a Sundance attendee since 1997, noted the poetic timing of Redford’s death coinciding with what many see as the festival’s final year in Utah.
Despite his passing, Redford had previously given his blessing for the festival to move to Boulder, where he attended the University of Colorado. Organizers initiated a year-long search for a new home, citing the festival’s growth and a desire to reduce its exclusivity.
Looking Ahead: Uncertainty and Continued Programs
While some attendees are hesitant, others are willing to explore what Sundance might become in Boulder. Lauren Garcia, a six-year volunteer from Seattle, expressed curiosity but also sadness, questioning how the festival will continue Redford’s legacy in a new location. She acknowledged that “it’s never going to be the same now that he’s gone.”
Amy Redford, Robert Redford’s daughter and a trustee of the Sundance Institute, is optimistic about the transition, though she anticipates challenges. She emphasized that the institute’s lab programs for emerging filmmakers – a key part of her father’s vision – will remain in Utah, about 34 miles south of Park City.
These programs will continue to foster “civil discourse” within the state, while Boulder is envisioned as a “new adventure,” a return to the festival’s early days of exploration and innovation. Amy Redford stated that the Institute will continue to “meet artists where they need to be.”
Nik Dodani, an actor and filmmaker focused on LGBTQ+ stories, expressed excitement about Boulder’s diversity but also worried about a potential “vacuum” of those stories in Utah following the move.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the Sundance Film Festival to consider relocating?
Sundance organizers determined the festival had outgrown Park City and had become too exclusive, shifting the focus away from the films themselves.
Will Robert Redford’s legacy be maintained after the move?
Amy Redford assures that the Sundance Institute’s lab programs for emerging filmmakers, which were central to her father’s vision, will remain in Utah.
Did Robert Redford support the move to Boulder?
Yes, Robert Redford, who attended the University of Colorado Boulder, gave his blessing for the festival to relocate before his death.
As Sundance prepares for its final run in Park City, the question remains: can the festival successfully transplant its unique identity and continue to champion independent storytelling in a new environment?