The Sundance Film Festival, a cornerstone of Park City's identity, faces uncertainty beyond 2026. Locals and industry insiders reflect on the festival's evolution, its impact on Utah, and the challenges it faces in maintaining its relevance and popularity.
For over four decades, Park City's marquees have been illuminated by the finest offerings of the Sundance Institute. But will this bustling mountain town continue to bask in that glow beyond 2026? \'The energy's something you don't experience anywhere else,' said Marshall Moore with Utah Film Studios. Some of the festival's history is etched within the halls of Utah Film Studios, which also calls Park City home.
The Studio's VP of Operations, Marshall Moore, says Sundance premieres like 'Wind River' and 'Hereditary' were shot in their vast Kearns Boulevard facility. 'I see a festival that's synonymous with the state because I don't know any different,' Moore said. \Moore directed the Utah Film Commission from 2007 to 2014, so he's also witnessed how Sundance has evolved. 'In the early days, it was all about hey, nobody's seen these movies before,' said Moore. 'These are very independent movies, come see these movies.' He's observed a shift towards casual moviegoers who increasingly come to mingle with celebrities. 'A lot of people will just come to Park City to see who they can see,' Moore said. The studios have even doubled as a dance floor, hosting invite-only parties during the festival. 'Everyone was having fun, they're having their phones out, looking for celebrities,' said Moore. \But all the popularity can leave Utahns behind. 'I've heard stories repeatedly about how some Utah people have not been able to secure tickets,' Moore said. 'I didn't get to see a single movie this year and I used to go to eight or nine every single festival.' This year, some national outlets have panned the festival as a dud year and questioned if it's lost some mojo? Down on Main Street, some businesses say they've noticed a slow decline post-COVID. 'Don't get me wrong - Sundance is busy,' said a server from Flanagan's Pub. 'It's booming, but there was more money coming in for the businesses and the restaurants and people like me.' \Moore acknowledges that it hasn't earned everyone's standing ovations and that changes might be needed to revitalize the fest. 'There's been traffic issues, there's been accommodation issues, there's been issues through the years,' said Moore. 'But all that's been able to be worked through to keep this home.' He remains hopeful it won't leave the Beehive State behind come 2027. 'I think it would be devastating if Sundance left,' Moore said. 'We would feel it as a community, as a state.' The locals we spoke with aren't ready to see the curtains close on one of Utah's most prestigious festivals. 'Most of us take pride in the fact that the Sundance Film Festival is here,' Moore said. 'For that to go away would take away part of Utah's identity.' Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall sent us a statement about this year's festival, calling it a 'wonderful celebration of the institute's year-round work' and a 'poignant moment to embrace the film community' in the aftermath of the California wildfires. She added they're excited to continue with the work and conversations ahead. Utah is among three finalists to be a future host site, alongside Boulder, Colorado and Cincinnati, Ohio
SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL PARK CITY UTAH FILM INDUSTRY CELEBRITIES ECONOMIC IMPACT FUTURE OF FESTIVAL
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