Amy Redford Remembers Dad’s Love for Park City as Sundance Prepares 2027 Exit

Park City, Utah, has long been the heart of the Sundance Film Festival, a place Robert Redford turned into a haven for independent filmmakers. Now, as the festival plans to leave in 2027, his daughter Amy Redford has spoken about her father's strong connection to the mountain town and its people. Redford, who died in 2025, founded the event to give voice to new stories, but rising costs and other pressures have led to the departure after more than 40 years.

Background

Robert Redford first came to the mountains near Park City as a young man. He fell in love with the quiet slopes and bought land there. In the 1960s, he named his resort Sundance after a movie character he played. By 1981, he started the Sundance Institute at the base of those same mountains. His goal was simple: help filmmakers who did not fit the usual Hollywood mold.

Redford saw that many good stories from different voices were not getting told. He set up labs where writers and directors could work without pressure from big studios. The first Directors Lab happened in 1981. Artists came with their ideas, got feedback from mentors, and learned to take risks. These labs focused on craft and story, not just money-making.

The institute also made space for people from groups often left out, like Indigenous artists. Over time, programs grew to support creators from all backgrounds and genres. Redford wanted a community, a home base away from the usual film world. He said he aimed to add to the industry without hurting it.

In 1985, the institute took over a small event called the U.S. Film Festival in Park City. It became the Sundance Film Festival. At first, it was just for filmmakers to share work with each other. Redford hoped others might show up. They did. Crowds grew, celebrities came, and it turned into a major event each January. The festival brought indie films — often low-budget and unusual — into the spotlight. Since 1991, films from Sundance have won many Oscars, including 20 documentaries.

Park City changed too. The festival pumped money into hotels, shops, and restaurants. Thousands visited every year, filling streets with buzz. Redford stayed involved for decades, guiding the mission to support independent art. Even as it grew big, the focus stayed on new voices and bold stories.

Key Details

Amy Redford, Robert's daughter, recently shared memories of her father. She said he loved Park City deeply.

“My dad loved this place and its people,” Amy Redford says of Park City.

She recalled how he raised his family there, calling one thing he did the best part of fatherhood. Redford built a life around family, film, and nature in the mountains. His work went beyond movies. He co-founded the Redford Center with his son to support environmental films. That group has made documentaries, given grants, and helped over 400 projects reach audiences.

The decision to leave Park City comes after Redford's death in 2025. The institute noted his loss leaves them grateful for his vision. Sundance leader Eugene Hernandez spoke about the change. He looked out at the pines and said this spot is where Redford started the institute during a time when artists needed ways to tell stories. In his last words on the move, Redford stressed the core goal: find and develop independent artists, use the festival to widen audiences.

Festival's Growth and Impact

Over 44 years, Sundance grew from labs on the mountain to a global name. It gives out millions in grants, pairs new filmmakers with pros, and hosts workshops. Documentaries got special attention. Redford believed they told truths through personal stories, sparking talk on human rights and issues. The institute took over a fund in 2001 to support them.

Park City hosted it all. The town became known for snowy streets packed with film fans. Losing the festival will hit local businesses hard. People in Utah feel sad about it, though leaders say a new event might fill the gap.

Redford's traits — generosity, clear goals, curiosity, rebelliousness — shaped everything. Staff who worked with him for decades remember his time and knowledge shared freely.

What This Means

The exit marks the end of Sundance's time in Park City. It closes a chapter for the town that hosted stars and stories for generations. Local economy will feel the change. Hotels and shops that thrived on January crowds now face quieter winters.

For filmmakers, the mission lives on. Labs and grants continue, just not in Utah. The institute promises to keep Redford's push for independent voices. New spots might bring fresh energy, but fans wonder if the magic of the mountains can be matched.

Redford's family stays tied to his work. Amy's words show the personal side. His environmental efforts through films aim to drive change from culture to policy. The legacy pushes forward, guiding new artists even without the founder.

Utah loses a big piece of its story. Sundance put the state on the map for cinema. Redford's early days skiing off course led to all this. Now, as the festival packs up in 2027, his vision spreads elsewhere. The community he built endures, focused on stories that might otherwise go unheard.