PARK CITY, Utah — The Sundance Institute on Thursday announced Cincinnati, Ohio, as one of three finalist cities in consideration to host the Sundance Film Festival in 2027.
Cincinnati joins Boulder, Colorado, and Park City/Salt Lake City, Utah, as the three finalists to host the independent film festival.
All three cities were selected as finalists based on “ethos and equity values, infrastructure, and capabilities to host the Festival, in addition to demonstrating ways in which they will continue to foster the diverse Sundance community and inspire the next generation of independent filmmakers,” the Institute said in a news release.
Sundance Film Festival for decades has been hosted in Park City and Salt Lake City, and will again in 2025 and 2026, respectively. However, the Institute announced in April it would explore “viable locations” across the U.S. to host the festival beginning in 2027 and “subsequent years,” according to the news release.
The final decision will be announced in “late winter/early spring” of 2025, following Sundance Film Festival 2025, which takes place Jan. 23 to Feb. 2.
“We are ecstatic to continue being considered as the next host city for the Sundance Film Festival,” said Aftab Pureval, mayor of Cincinnati, and Kristen Schlotman, president and CEO of Film Cincinnati, in a joint statement. “As long-time attendees, we believe Cincinnati’s dedication to the arts, hospitality, and historic theaters make it a great fit. We are inspired by the idea of partnering with the Sundance Institute to celebrate the festival’s rich legacy while introducing a dynamic, walkable and accessible new venue. Cincinnati’s blend of creativity, culture, and community promises to be an unforgettable experience for both filmmakers and audiences.”
