Louisville has been named one of six finalists to become the next possible home of the internationally renowned Sundance Film Festival.
The announcement, made Friday, puts Louisville in the running to host the festival beginning in 2027. The festival has been held in Park City, Utah, for 40 years.
“We’re very excited to have reached this stage of the process,” Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said Friday. “At the same time, we’re not just in the running. We want to win, and we want to help the Sundance Film Festival grow in new and exciting ways. And that’s why I’m all in. That’s why our city is all in. That’s why our state is all in.”
Greenberg added that Louisville is “home to the best two minutes of sports and we’re ready to host the best 10 days of film,” and that the city was one of 90 others that applied to host the festival. He was joined Friday by Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers, Louisville City Council President Markus Winkler, Louisville Tourism CEO Cleo Battle and several Louisville film and creative space leaders.
Members of the selection committee will visit Louisville, as well as the other finalist cities, in the coming weeks.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY daily crossword puzzle.
The six finalists are:
- Atlanta
- Boulder, Colorado
- Cincinnati
- Louisville
- Salt Lake City/Park City, Utah
- Santa Fe, New Mexico
To create its list of host sites, the Sundance Institute evaluated each city’s infrastructure, event capabilities, “ethos and values of equity” and how each “could sustainably serve and support” the festival’s artists and audiences, the institute said in its announcement.
“As we carefully consider this important decision for our Festival, we believe these six finalists offer us the best opportunity not only to ensure a sustainable future for our Festival, but also to build on its legacy while continuing to support the next generation of storytellers and showcase bold new works of art,” said Ebs Burnough, Sundance Institute board chair, and Amanda Kelso, Sundance Institute interim CEO, in a press release.
Soozie Eastman, president of 502 Film, called the selection of finalists “an honor” and hailed the Sundance Film Festival as “one of the oldest, most esteemed and supportive pillars in the world of visual storytelling and creation.”
“As Louisville’s film economy and production community continues to grow, it is with tremendous excitement that we learn that Sundance is considering our city as a potential site for its world-class film festival,” she said in a statement. “We have always been a community brimming with creative talent, and Louisville continues to attract productions to the region because of our experienced team, unique venues and unparalleled film tax incentives.”
In mid-April, the nonprofit Sundance Institute opened a request for information, which closed May 1, followed by a request for proposals, which closed June 21, to explore viable locations in the United States to host the Sundance Film Festival starting in 2027, according to a blog post on its website.
“The RFI/RFP will allow the Institute to assess, review and develop its foundation for an accessible festival serving a growing global independent creative community…while preserving the Festival’s core mission and responsibility: to discover and support independent storytellers and introduce their work to new audiences,” the blog states.
Here’s what else you need to know about the Sundance Film Festival, its move and what’s in store for Louisville.
What is the Sundance Film Festival?
The Sundance Film Festival is a public program run by the nonprofit Sundance Institute and is the “preeminent gathering of original storytellers and audiences seeking new voices and perspectives and supporting independent cinema,” according to the blog post.
Founded by acclaimed actor Robert Redford, the Sundance Film Festival is “a springboard for independent cinema, serving as a vital space to showcase unique voices while transforming careers. Each January, audiences are the first to discover and celebrate the bold, creative visions and exciting new talent that will be part of conversations for years to come,” the blog states.
In 2024, the festival saw a record number of applications: more than 17,000 from 153 countries, according to Sundance.
Where is the Sundance Film Festival currently taking place?
For the past 40 years, the Sundance Film Festival has been held in Park City, Utah. The 2025 and 2026 editions of the Sundance Film Festival will continue to be held in Park City, which serves as the festival’s home.
Why is the Sundance Film Festival moving?
Sundance’s contract with Park City is up for renewal starting in 2027. The festival plans to use the RFI/RFP to “evaluate, consider and build on its foundation for an accessible festival serving a growing global independent creative community,” according to the blog.
Why is Louisville in the running to host the festival?
Louisville hopes to attract filmmakers from around the world to Bourbon City while deepening ties with its local artist community.
If Louisville were to host the festival, it could bring up to $170 million to the economy.
“It would certainly establish Louisville globally as a leader for creative and innovative people in general and in the film industry in particular,” Greenberg said.
Dean Otto, curator of film at the Speed Art Museum, said it was an honor that Louisville was considered.
“Many films that premiere at Sundance screen at Speed upon their theatrical release,” Otto said. “We would love to host the groundbreaking films that the Sundance Film Festival premieres each year.”
What incentives does Louisville offer at Sundance?
The incentives are confidential while the competitive process is underway, Greenberg said, but he has been working with Gov. Andy Beshear and the General Assembly to see what the state can offer.
Stivers, a Republican representing Manchester, said he and Greenberg have been communicating for months about the incentive program.
“I can’t guarantee what the General Assembly will do, or what the incentives will be, but I can guarantee this: I’m going to do my best to convince my colleagues to come and work with the mayor as we did last session to improve Louisville and Kentucky, rural and urban, and this is one of the ways we can do that,” Stivers said. “By trying to attract and bring quality, large-scale, sophisticated events to our cities and our commonwealth.”
Kentucky also offers competitive film tax incentives.
What’s next for Louisville?
Members of the Sundance Institute selection committee will visit Louisville and the other finalist cities in the coming weeks to assess their potential.
Shortly thereafter, the institute will make its decision, Greenberg said.
The institute’s announcement Friday did not provide details on why Louisville was shortlisted. The nonprofit promised “a fair and complete review” and said it would not provide comment while that review is ongoing.
However, Eastman said the economic impact on Louisville had already begun within hours of the Louisville institute being announced as a finalist.
“Having already received 10 emails in two hours from filmmakers interested in showing their films here has an immediate economic impact on our city, as we receive the seal of approval from one of the most renowned film festivals in the world.”
When is the 2025 Sundance Film Festival?
The 2025 Sundance Film Festival will take place in Park City and Salt Lake City from January 23 to February 2, 2025.
Contact growth and development reporter Matthew Glowicki at mglowicki@courier-journal.com or 502-582-4000. Contact reporter Eleanor McCrary at EMcCrary@courier-journal.com or @ellie_mccrary on X, formerly known as Twitter.