Sundance’s Final Utah Edition Opens With Bittersweet Celebration

The 42nd Sundance Film Festival opened Thursday in Park City, Utah, bringing filmmakers, industry professionals, and cinema enthusiasts to the mountain town for what will be the last time. The festival runs through February 1, marking the end of more than 40 years in Utah before relocating to Boulder, Colorado, next year. The opening night carried an unusual weight—a mixture of celebration and farewell as attendees grappled with the historic transition.

The opening night premiere of the documentary "Paralyzed by Hope: The Maria Bamford Story," directed by Judd Apatow and Neil Berkeley, set the tone for the festival's bittersweet mood. Apatow, the veteran filmmaker and comedian, voiced what many were feeling.

"We are sad it's the last Sundance in Park City, but we will see what Colorado is all about." – Judd Apatow

This year's festival also marks the first edition without Robert Redford, who founded the Sundance Institute in 1981 and shaped the festival into a champion for independent filmmakers. Redford died in September at age 89. The festival organizers are honoring his legacy through special retrospective screenings and restored presentations of classic films that premiered at Sundance over the decades.

Background

Sundance began in 1978 as the United States Film Festival before being taken over by the Sundance Institute. Over four decades, it became America's most prestigious independent film festival, launching the careers of countless filmmakers and introducing audiences to new cinema. The festival has outgrown its original location, prompting organizers to seek a new home that could better accommodate the event's expanding scope.

The decision to relocate came after careful consideration of the festival's future needs. Boulder, Colorado, will host Sundance starting in 2027, with David Linde serving as the new CEO. The move represents a significant change for a festival deeply rooted in Park City's culture and identity.

This year's edition is also the first without Tammie Rosen, who led Sundance's communications operations and passed away in December following a cancer battle. Her absence is felt across the organization, as colleagues remembered her meticulous attention to detail and care for the festival's operations.

Key Details

The festival selected its lineup from more than 16,200 submissions, including 4,255 feature-length films from 164 countries and territories. Ninety features are premiering throughout the festival, with screenings running from early morning through midnight. Award winners will be announced on January 30.

Screenings are being held in-person in Park City and Salt Lake City, with online access beginning January 29 for audiences across the country. The festival also includes short film programs, experimental and episodic works, and conversations with filmmakers and Sundance alumni.

This year's program features dramatic films with stars including Natalie Portman, Channing Tatum, Dustin Hoffman, Seth Rogen, and Olivia Wilde. Notable premieres include "In The Blink of an Eye," a live-action trilogy directed by Pixar veteran Andrew Stanton, and "Chasing Summer," from director Josephine Decker, starring Iliza Shlesinger.

Honoring the Past

To commemorate the final year in Park City, organizers are screening classic films that found their audience at Sundance, including "Little Miss Sunshine," "Half Nelson" with Ryan Gosling, and "Cronos," which will be followed by an extended question-and-answer session with director Guillermo del Toro. An archival print of Robert Redford's early film "Downhill Racer" will also be presented as a tribute to the festival's founder.

Documentaries at this year's festival include profiles of basketball star Brittney Griner, the story of pioneering lesbian filmmaker Barbara Hammer, and "The History of Concrete," featuring John Wilson from HBO's "How To with John Wilson."

What This Means

The relocation marks a turning point for independent cinema in America. While Sundance will continue to champion new voices and new storytelling in Colorado, the move away from Park City closes a significant chapter in film festival history. The mountain town has become synonymous with Sundance, and the transition signals how the festival must evolve to meet the demands of a growing industry.

For filmmakers and audiences, the move represents both uncertainty and opportunity. The festival's leadership is committed to maintaining Sundance's mission of supporting independent artists while adapting to a new location and cultural context. How the festival settles into Boulder will likely shape the future of independent filmmaking in North America.

Many festival-goers expressed mixed emotions about attending what could be their last Sundance in Utah. The nostalgia is palpable in Park City this week, with attendees visiting favorite screening venues and restaurants, knowing the tradition will soon move elsewhere. Yet organizers and participants alike are focused on making this final Utah edition memorable, celebrating the artists and their work while honoring the festival's transformative history.