In May 2024, factors such as infrastructural restrictions on its social inclusion efforts, the incompatibility of openness towards diverse life concepts and the political and legal framework conditions, as well as the lack of support from the local population, prompted the Sundance Institute to issue a call for tenders for a new location. As a result, numerous US cities from San Francisco to Cincinnati bid to host the world’s most important film festival for independent film.
Eugene Hernandez, Festival Director and Head of Public Programming, described the successful situation as follows: ”Each has shown us the blend of exciting possibilities, values, and logistics needed to produce a vibrant, inviting, and inclusive Festival. We’re excited for a future Sundance that can discover, support, and inspire artists and audiences for the next forty years.” (see Kay, Sept. 12, 2024 in Screendaily).
The subsequent selection process focused on the quality of the locations in terms of their ability and culture to promote independent creativity. Boulder in Colorado, Cincinnati in Ohio and Salt Lake City/Park City in Utah (with numerous new additional benefits) made it to the final round. During the upcoming edition from January 23 to February 2, 2025, the Institute will announce its decision as to which location will unite the Sundance Film Festival community from 2027.