CU Boulder Launches Film Festival Class Ahead of Sundance Move

New course offers students behind-the-scenes look at running a film festival.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 11:09pm

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An abstract, out-of-focus scene of students gathered in a university classroom, discussing film festival programming and curation, with warm pools of light and color creating a dreamlike, atmospheric mood.The new 'Film Festival Cultures' course at CU Boulder gives students an immersive look at the inner workings of film festivals, preparing them for the industry's growth in Colorado.Boulder Today

The University of Colorado Boulder has introduced a new course called 'Film Festival Cultures' that gives students an inside look at the operations of film festivals, timed to coincide with the Sundance Film Festival's upcoming move to Colorado. The class, open to all majors, has drawn strong interest with enrollment capped at 60 students and a waitlist.

Why it matters

The new course aims to provide students with valuable insights and hands-on experience in the film festival industry, which is poised to grow in prominence in Colorado with Sundance's relocation to the state. The class offers a unique opportunity for students to learn from industry professionals and gain practical skills in areas like programming, curation, and festival management.

The details

The 'Film Festival Cultures' course is structured in three parts, starting with an introduction to film festivals, followed by programming and curation, and ending with students designing their own festivals. As part of the course, students watched hundreds of short films, debated which ones should be included in their final screening, and heard from industry guests like representatives from Sundance and the Denver Film Festival.

  • The new course is being offered at CU Boulder every spring semester.
  • Sundance has announced its 2027 festival venues, with three located on CU Boulder's campus: Macky Auditorium Concert Hall, Muenzinger Auditorium, and Roe Green Theatre.

The players

Kelly Sears

An associate professor in cinema studies and moving image arts at CU Boulder, and the instructor for the 'Film Festival Cultures' course.

Emily Simms

A business major and student in the 'Film Festival Cultures' course.

Tyler Anderson

A junior film major at CU Boulder who is excited about the opportunities the Sundance Film Festival's move to Colorado will bring.

Sundance Institute

The organization that runs the renowned Sundance Film Festival, which has announced its 2027 festival venues will include three locations on the CU Boulder campus.

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What they’re saying

“As someone who screens in film festivals and has been to Sundance a few times, hearing that Sundance was coming here, it was a real opportunity to think about how can we open up what film festivals are for students.”

— Kelly Sears, Associate Professor, CU Boulder

“It's really shown me how a movie can be great, or a short can be great for some people and very different for others. There's not a lot of classes that I'm walking through the door smiling, excited to be there. This is definitely one of them, especially as we're getting closer to putting on this production.”

— Emily Simms, Business Major, CU Boulder Student

“I'm stoked. It's super exciting [to have Sundance]. It just opens a lot of doors for opportunities for CU in it of itself, but specifically, the filmmakers that reside in Boulder. It truly is going to be a big hot spot more than it already is and I can't wait to see that future that it holds for us.”

— Tyler Anderson, Junior Film Major, CU Boulder

What’s next

The university plans to offer the 'Film Festival Cultures' course every spring semester, allowing more students to gain hands-on experience in the film festival industry as Sundance's move to Colorado approaches.

The takeaway

The new 'Film Festival Cultures' course at CU Boulder represents an exciting opportunity for students to prepare for the growth of the film festival industry in Colorado, with the Sundance Film Festival's relocation to the state. By offering a behind-the-scenes look at festival operations, the class aims to equip students with valuable skills and insights that could lead to future careers in this dynamic field.