Sundance Film Festival is moving to Colorado in 2027

• Boulder has been selected over two other finalists as the future home of the iconic Sundance Film Festival, beginning in 2027.
• Organizers said they expect the festival to be centered in downtown Boulder, utilizing multiple theaters and venues in and around the Pearl Street Mall and select spots on CU's campus.

The iconic Sundance Film Festival is coming to Colorado in 2027.

The Sundance Institute announced Thursday that Boulder had been selected over two other finalists as the future home of the festival, beginning in 2027.

“Boulder offers small-town charm with an engaged community, distinctive natural beauty, and a vibrant arts scene, making it the ideal location for the Festival to grow,” reads the announcement on the Sundance Film Festival’s website.

Organizers said they expect the festival to be centered in downtown Boulder, utilizing multiple theaters and venues in and around Pearl Street Mall and select spots on the nearby campus of the University of Colorado. Musicians playing outside the Boulder Theater and CU’s Macky Auditorium Concert Hall are pictured with the announcement on the website.

The Sundance Film Festival began in 1985 and continues to provide opportunities for independent filmmakers to showcase their work in dramatic and documentary features, short films and episodic content, according to the website. In addition to screenings, the festival also features daily filmmaker conversations, panel discussions and other events.

Boulder beat out two other finalists for the right to host the event: Cincinnati and the festival’s original home in Park City, Utah, that expanded to also include nearby Salt Lake City.

Boulder’s bid was enhanced with a number of incentives, according to previous news releases from Colorado Gov. Jared Polis. Those included a one-time cash contribution of $1.5 million from the Colorado Economic Development Commission; $325,000 from the state Office of Economic Development and International Trade, including $250,000 over five years from the state Office of Film and Television Media; and one-time contributions of $50,000 from the Colorado Tourism Office and $25,000 from Colorado Creative Industries.

“This accomplishment is the result of incredible collaboration — one of the very attributes that makes our city great,” Boulder City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde said in a news release Thursday from the governor’s office. “We look forward to ensuring that the Sundance Film Festival flourishes here and that participants continue to enjoy a world-class experience.”

The 2026 Sundance Film Festival, scheduled for Jan. 22 to Feb. 1, will remain in Park City, the Sundance Institute said. Dates for the 2027 festival in Boulder will be announced at a later date.

Coloradoan reporter Kelly Lyell can be reached at KellyLyell@coloradoan.com. Follow him onx.com/KellyLyell andfacebook.com/KellyLyell.news