Park City, UT/Boulder, CO – The future scale of major film festivals like Sundance and Toronto is under scrutiny as the independent film market contracts, prompting discussions about prioritizing artistic focus over expansion. Film at Lincoln Center’s new york Film Festival, by comparison, has maintained a consistent size, featuring 29 films in its 2024 main selection alongside 75 total features including sidebars, and screening two films nightly at Alice Tully Hall.
The debate centers on whether festivals should resist growth pressures and refocus on nurturing emerging talent. Daniel Battsek, president of Film at Lincoln Center, highlighted Sundance’s historical role in “nurturing and anointing new talent,” citing Jordan Peele’s 2017 breakout film “Get Out” as an example of how positive audience reaction can propel a film to broader success.
Sundance Film Festival Director Eugene Hernandez has noted the festival’s traditional dynamic of a busier first half transitioning to a more film-focused second half.Sundance has also experimented with satellite festivals, initially in London and more recently in Mexico City.
Looking ahead, Sundance is preparing for a significant shift in location to Boulder, Colorado, beginning with the 2026 festival. Festival organizers are still determining key details for the 2027 festival, including venues, hotels, and hubs, but are currently hosting screenings with the local film community, including college students. The move from Park City is intended to create a more accessible festival experience, with plans to center activities around Boulder’s walkable downtown area, including pearl Street Mall, and utilize existing restaurants, theaters, and university facilities.
There is hope that the Boulder location will allow Sundance to resist the commercialization that had become prevalent in Park City and maintain its focus on independent film.
