Q: Sundance Film festival location change
2Esp a question for those of you from Utah and Colorado
Did the town get sick of the festival?
Did the festival get sick of the town?
Did both get tired of each other?
Did Boulder offer the festival more big bucks in services and tax break?
What were other political factors?
How do the people of Utah feel about losing the festival?
How do the people of Colorado (and esp of the Boulder area) feel about the incoming festival with all the noise and traffic and press … vs the chance to see cool films or spot movie stars and directors?
/giphy “Sundance kid”
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I’m not a resident of either location but a quick Google AI search reveals this info:
@MrGoodGuy
Whelp. Ok, Google!
: )
@MrGoodGuy From the very little that I have heard, there have been rumblings about the relative remoteness and pricey nature of Park City, and the tendency for this to limit the attendance by a lot of would-be fans. Not that Boulder is exactly a nearby suburb of Denver or anything, but it’s less resort-y. I’m guessing that they’re looking to make this less of an elitist gathering. Also, Colorado has fewer blue laws and a much more relaxed set of alcohol rules than Utah. I have zero data about the possibility that they wanted a different political climate, and I’m sure they won’t be commenting about that even if it was a factor in their decision.
As a local (who never went to any of the events) it’s been years since the whole SFF was held in Park City. Many of the films have been shown in Salt Lake City because it outgrew Park City. The two are about 30 miles / 40 minutes apart, I’d call that annoying but not prohibitive.
There was a lot of politician hand wringing when the possibility of the move was first rumored, but I’m not sure how many normal people cared. Though it was claimed to be a competitive bid process, a lot of people figured the move was a forgone conclusion.
The festival started in SLC in September, and it nearly failed after couple of years. I don’t know any details, but there was some sort of help from the state to keep it afloat. It then moved to Park City in winter, as a calculated move to entice the rich & powerful in the movie business to come. A ski resort town in ski season was figured to be more of an attraction, and they were right.