The 2025 Sundance Film Festival came to a close on Feb. 2, bringing an end to 11 days of independent artists and filmmakers showcasing their work in the snowy hills of Park City. Its end brings the countdown to one last guaranteed festival in Utah.
Last year, the Sundance Institute announced that it was searching for new host cities for the annual festival, stating that after 40 years, its contract with Park City and Salt Lake City was coming to an end. In September, it announced its three finalists to take over in 2027: Boulder, Colorado; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Salt Lake City/Park City.
A decision will be made in late winter or early spring, “well after the 2025 festival,” the institute said in a press release.
The uncertainty leaves many questions for Utah film lovers and business owners.
Scott Petty is the manager of Sock City in Park City, a novelty store that sells a large variety of unique socks and apparel. Petty said that while business doesn’t necessarily increase during the weeks of the festival, the fame of the festival itself is an intrigue for visitors year-round.
“Despite not being this monumental shift in business, it’s still really nice to have eyes on Park City,” Petty said. “Not being able to have that tagline I feel like will diminish the city’s reputation.”
While Park City is known for its ski resorts, its reputation is bolstered by having such an exclusive, star-studded event occur within its theaters. It places Utah on the map as a key area for film.
Rachel DeHerrera, a Weber State University student studying digital media and sound production, thinks Sundance’s absence could diminish the film community.
“If Sundance is no longer associated here, it’s not going to be on the forefront of people’s minds,” DeHerrera said. “I might make a connection here. Maybe my career could be built, and if I don’t have that here anymore, that only disadvantages local filmmakers that want to get networking opportunities.”
DeHerrera has spent the last two years volunteering at the festival, dedicating over 40 hours of service to ensure everything runs smoothly. She believes the atmosphere of the festival could not be replicated in Boulder or Cincinnati.
“Park City is such a special place,” DeHerrera said. “You’re in the mountains. You’re isolated. They shut down Main Street, so it feels exclusive.”
However, Park City’s infrastructure may no longer be able to support the influx of crowds that the festival draws in. This is one of the factors the Sundance Institute is considering while selecting the new host city. The festival brings in tens of thousands of visitors every year, overwhelming a system meant for its regular population of just over 8,200.
As a Main Street employee, Petty said the festival can be rough to navigate. There are no parking spots set aside for employees during this time, leaving them to navigate other options to get to work.
“I feel like if they put better efforts into just building out the festival venues there instead of jumping ship, that might be the solution,” DeHerrera said.
Regardless of what is announced in the coming months, Utah will host the festival at least one more time next year on Jan. 22 to Feb. 1. Until then, local filmmakers and businesses wait eagerly to learn what’s in store for the festival’s future.
