After decades in Park City, the Sundance Film Festival is set to relocate to Boulder, where its 2027 edition will run from 21 to 31 January. The move places one of independent cinema’s most closely watched events in a new setting for the first time, as it opens its doors to international audiences in Boulder while holding on to its established place in the late-January calendar.
What To Expect
Plans for the edition suggest a broad footprint across Boulder. Organisers have identified more than a dozen principal venues, with eleven theatres reserved for premieres. Further details, including the festival line-up, are expected nearer the start date.
Sundance has said that the 2027 festival will feature a wide range of world premieres, compelling conversations, special events, and more. The January gathering continues the Festival’s enduring impact of championing original voices, forging meaningful connections, and entertaining audiences from around the world. Boulder will be the Sundance Film Festival’s home beginning in 2027 and beyond.
Sundance is moving to Boulder, Colorado, starting in 2027 because it outgrew its longtime home in Park City, Utah, seeking more space, lower costs, and better infrastructure. Boulder was selected for its vibrant arts scene, walkability, proximity to the mountains, and ability to better support the festival's long-term sustainability and equity goals
“Working closely with the Colorado community, the 2027 Sundance Film Festival is already in our sights as we build towards an exciting debut in Boulder where our programming will meet audiences next January,” said Eugene Hernandez, Director, Sundance Film Festival and Public Programming. “Nestled at the base of Colorado’s iconic Flatirons, venues across the city and CU Boulder’s campus provide an ideal setting for festivalgoers from across the world to come together, revel in art, spark conversation, and create unforgettable memories. Boulder offers a renowned creative arts and tech scene, paired with the vibrant CU Boulder students, faculty, and staff. We’ll share more details in the coming months and hope you’ll join us on our journey to Boulder as we build the Sundance Film Festival’s new home.”
The Venues
Theatres
Boedecker Theatre — Dairy Arts Center
Boulder High School Auditorium
Boulder Theatre
Casey Middle School Auditorium
Chautauqua Auditorium
Cinemark Century Boulder
eTown Hall
Gordon Gamm Theatre — Dairy Arts Center
Macky Auditorium Concert Hall — University of Colorado Boulder
Muenzinger Auditorium — University of Colorado Boulder
Roe Green Theatre — University of Colorado Boulder
Talks and Festival Programming
Canyon Theatre, Boulder Public Library District
Dairy Arts Centre
eTown Hall
Old Main — University of Colorado Boulder
About Sundance
The Sundance Film Festival is the largest independent film festival in the US, founded by Robert Redford in 1978 and held annually in Park City, Utah (moving to Boulder in 2027). It showcases new American/international films, prioritising independent storytelling, documentaries, and short films. It is renowned for launching major films like CODA and Get Out.
Film Categories: The programme includes US and World Cinema Dramatic and Documentary Competitions, NEXT, New Frontier (experimental), Midnight (genre), and Spotlight.
Prestige & Awards: Known for identifying future indie hits and Oscar contenders. Major awards include the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Awards.
How to Attend: The festival offers both in-person and online experiences, with tickets and ticket packages available for purchase on the official Sundance site.
FAQs
What is the Sundance Film Festival?
It is the largest independent film festival in the United States, founded by Robert Redford in 1978. The festival is known for showcasing original voices in cinema, with a strong focus on independent storytelling, documentaries and short films.
Where will the 2027 festival take place?
The 2027 edition will be held in Boulder from 21 to 31 January. It marks the festival’s first year outside Park City after a decades-long run there.
What makes the 2027 edition significant?
It will be the first time the festival welcomes global audiences to Boulder, signalling a major shift in location while maintaining its traditional place in the January film calendar.
What kinds of films are shown at Sundance?
The programme spans several sections, including US and World Cinema competitions for both drama and documentary, as well as strands such as NEXT, New Frontier, Midnight and Spotlight.
Who runs the festival?
It is organised by the Sundance Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting emerging and independent filmmakers.
