Sundance Film Festival 2027 to Debut in Boulder, CO

The renowned festival expands beyond its traditional Park City, Utah home to a diverse array of venues across the city.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 6:35am

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The Sundance Film Festival is set to take place in Boulder, Colorado from January 21-31, 2027, marking a significant shift for the renowned event. The festival will utilize a diverse range of venues spanning roughly 5 square miles of the city, including established theaters, university spaces, and even school auditoriums. Beyond screenings, the festival will host talks, panels, and community programming, providing a more immersive experience for attendees.

Why it matters

Sundance's move to Boulder signals a potential trend of major film festivals decentralizing and exploring alternative host cities. This could lead to the emergence of regional film hubs, fostering local filmmaking talent and attracting a wider audience. The diverse venue selection also highlights a shift towards utilizing non-traditional screening spaces, creating a more accessible and community-focused festival experience.

The details

The festival's footprint will include the Boedecker and Gordon Gamm Theaters at the Dairy Arts Center, the historic Boulder Theater, the Chautauqua Auditorium, eTown Hall, the Cinemark Century Boulder multiplex, and various University of Colorado Boulder and local high school spaces. Beyond screenings, the festival will host talks, panels, and community programming at the Canyon Theater at the Boulder Public Library, the Dairy Arts Center, and eTown Hall.

  • The Sundance Film Festival in Boulder will take place from January 21-31, 2027.
  • The Boulder City Council approved an incentives package worth up to $17.3 million for the Sundance Institute to host the festival in the city.

The players

Sundance Institute

The non-profit organization that produces the Sundance Film Festival, one of the most prestigious independent film festivals in the world.

Boulder City Council

The governing body of the city of Boulder, Colorado, which approved an incentives package to attract the Sundance Film Festival to the city.

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What’s next

Additional details, including the festival schedule and ticketing information, are expected to be announced in the coming months.

The takeaway

Sundance's move to Boulder represents a potential shift in the film festival landscape, with major events exploring alternative host cities and utilizing diverse venue spaces to create a more immersive and accessible experience for attendees. This could lead to the emergence of regional film hubs and a stronger connection between festivals and their host communities.