The Sundance Film Festival has packed up and left Park City for what may be the next-to-the-last time. Though we hope not.
After more than 30 years in Utah, festival organizers are looking for new digs. They are understandably worried that the independent film showcase has outgrown Park City, a mountain resort town that struggles to house, feed and otherwise accommodate the annual throngs of directors, producers, actors, critics, distributors and fans.
Finalists to be the festival’s home after 2026 include Cincinnati, Ohio; Boulder, Colorado; and a joint bid from Salt Lake City and Park City. Local and state leaders in each are offering millions in tax breaks and other incentives.
But it shouldn’t be just about the money, and certainly not taxpayer money. It should be about the best atmosphere for the stimulating, mind-expanding gathering of artists and aficionados. And, for that, Utah is still the best choice.
Moving more of the screenings, panels and parties down the hill to Salt Lake City, where there’s a lot more room, makes sense. But the soul of the festival has always been in Park City, which should still host some of the events and be the keeper of the independent film flame.
A letter signed by Gov. Spencer Cox and 88 legislative leaders, mayors, business people, arts and culture folks and nonprofit leaders made the case for Utah. They are right.
A big city like Cincinnati just doesn’t have the right vibe. And if Sundance wants a mountain town near a big metropolitan area, there’s no reason to abandon Utah for Boulder.
Sundance should stay home.
