Sundance Film Festival Bids Farewell to Utah, Looks Ahead to Colorado

The festival's move to Colorado in 2027 brings new opportunities and challenges as it leaves its longtime home in Utah.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 9:15am

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As the Sundance Film Festival wrapped up its final year in Park City, Utah, it became clear that the festival's connections to Colorado have grown stronger. Several films with Colorado ties premiered at this year's festival, including "See You When I See You" and "Hot Water". The festival's founder, the late Robert Redford, had previously considered starting the festival in Colorado before settling in Utah. Now, the festival will move to Colorado in 2027, with the Boulder-based producer Paula DuPré Pesmen helping to envision the transition. The move comes as Colorado's film industry continues to grow, with the state already home to several established film festivals.

Why it matters

The Sundance Film Festival's move to Colorado in 2027 represents a significant shift for the renowned independent film event. After more than 40 years in Utah, the festival will now be based in a state with a different cultural and geographic landscape, which could impact the festival's identity and programming. The move also highlights Colorado's growing prominence as a hub for filmmaking, with the state already home to a thriving film festival scene.

The details

The Sundance Film Festival's final year in Utah saw several connections to Colorado emerge, including the premieres of films like "See You When I See You" and "Hot Water". The festival's founder, Robert Redford, had previously considered starting the event in Colorado before settling in Utah. Now, with Redford's passing, the festival will move to Colorado in 2027, with the Boulder-based producer Paula DuPré Pesmen helping to envision the transition. The move comes as Colorado's film industry continues to grow, with the state already home to several established film festivals, including the Denver Film Festival, which recently had one of its best-attended iterations.

  • The Sundance Film Festival concluded its final year in Park City, Utah, in January 2026.
  • The festival will move to Colorado in January 2027.

The players

Robert Redford

The late founder of the Sundance Institute and the Sundance Film Festival, who had previously considered starting the festival in Colorado before settling in Utah.

Paula DuPré Pesmen

A Boulder-based producer who has been hired to help envision the transition of the Sundance Film Festival to Colorado.

Jared Polis

The Governor of Colorado, who recently announced the state's new film commissioner, Lauren Grimshaw Sloan.

Lauren Grimshaw Sloan

The new film commissioner for the state of Colorado, whose experience at SeriesFest means she knows the ins and outs of film festivals.

Amy Redford

The daughter of Robert Redford, who spoke about her father's love for Utah and the Sundance festival during the festival's final year in the state.

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What they’re saying

“Even though Bob Redford enjoyed a successful acting and directing career, he was never just content to rest on those laurels. He believed that with space to create and experiment, independent artists were poised to have a tremendous impact.”

— Ebs Burnough, Chair of the board of trustees

“My dad loved this place and its people,”

— Amy Redford

“Yeah, everybody always says, 'Man, I can't believe it's 20 years that flew by.' But in this case, I have to say it doesn't feel like that because that screening at Sundance 20 years ago was literally the first day of the rest of our lives. It was definitely the birth of our career as a band.”

— Nick Urata, Frontman of the band DeVotchKa

“Let's make it a great festival celebration, remembrance and hope for all that is possible,”

— Amy Redford

What’s next

The Sundance Film Festival will officially move to Colorado in January 2027, with the Boulder-based producer Paula DuPré Pesmen helping to envision the transition. The festival's arrival in Colorado will coincide with the state's growing film industry, which includes the long-running Denver Film Festival and several other established film events.

The takeaway

The Sundance Film Festival's move to Colorado in 2027 represents a significant shift for the renowned independent film event, as it leaves its longtime home in Utah for a new location with a different cultural and geographic landscape. The transition also highlights Colorado's growing prominence as a hub for filmmaking, with the state already home to a thriving film festival scene that will now welcome one of the most prestigious events in the industry.