Sundance Parties Bid Farewell to Park City, Eye Boulder for Next Year

Industry insiders reflect on the end of an era as Sundance Film Festival moves its hub to Colorado.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 9:39am

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As the Sundance Film Festival wraps up its final year in Park City, Utah, the iconic parties that have long defined the event are also saying goodbye to the mountain town. Top industry figures like producer Frank Marshall and attorney John Sloss hosted their final Park City bashes, marking the end of an era. However, the party circuit is already scouting venues in Boulder, Colorado, the festival's new home starting next year, signaling that the Sundance spirit will live on despite the change of scenery.

Why it matters

The Sundance parties have been an integral part of the festival's identity, serving as networking hubs and casual celebrations for the independent film community. As the festival transitions to a new location, the fate of these legendary parties was uncertain, but this report indicates that the industry is committed to preserving the Sundance experience, even if the setting is different.

The details

The Sundance parties have evolved over the years, from scrappy, energy-drink-fueled affairs to more exclusive, VIP-only gatherings hosted by Hollywood's elite. While the opportunistic brand activations and swag houses became increasingly gauche, the true industry parties, like the annual soiree by top film seller and attorney John Sloss, remained special, no-FOMO shindigs that felt like exclusive film family affairs. Sloss' final Park City bash for his Cinetic Media label this year was 'really emotional,' he said, with a two-hour line of 200 people trying to get in at one point and guests including 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' producer Frank Marshall, top documentary filmmakers Alex Gibney and Marina Zenovich, and 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' star Lola Tung.

  • The Sundance Film Festival was founded in the 1970s.
  • Robert Redford, the festival's founder, commented on the event's evolution a decade ago.
  • This year's Sundance Film Festival took place in Park City, Utah.
  • Next year, the Sundance Film Festival will move its hub to Boulder, Colorado.

The players

Robert Redford

The founder of the Sundance Film Festival, who commented on the event's evolution a decade ago.

John Sloss

A top film seller and attorney who hosted an annual party at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City.

Frank Marshall

A producer known for films like 'Raiders of the Lost Ark', who attended Sloss' final Park City party.

Alex Gibney

A top documentary filmmaker who attended Sloss' final Park City party.

Marina Zenovich

A top documentary filmmaker who attended Sloss' final Park City party.

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What they’re saying

“It's a wrap!”

— John Sloss, Film seller and attorney

“It was always on Monday night and turned into a dance party as the place where the industry really let their hair down.”

— An insider

What’s next

Sloss' team will start scouting venues in Boulder, Colorado, the new home of the Sundance Film Festival starting next year.

The takeaway

The Sundance parties have been an integral part of the festival's identity, serving as networking hubs and casual celebrations for the independent film community. As the festival transitions to a new location in Boulder, Colorado, the industry is committed to preserving the Sundance spirit and experience, even if the setting is different.