Atlanta's Sundance Film Festival bid hypes diversity, airport, film production hub

Atlanta hopes its abundance of cinemas for red-carpet screenings, tens of thousands of hotel rooms and at least $2 million in incentives will win over the Sundance Film Festival.

Why it matters: The film festival's planned exit from its longtime base in Park City has sparked a frenzy among cities looking to land the big-name Hollywood event that drew more than 80,000 attendees in 2023.

Zoom in: In a website accompanying the bid , Atlanta's promoting its diversity, thriving creative communities and industries, international airport and ample options for hosting throngs of people.

• In addition, the city and its partners have "pledged $2 million in support as well as a robust array of concessions and in-kind support to the festival," according to Mayor Andre Dickens' administration.

Context: The city partnered with the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau to prepare the bid that's backed by supporters, including Gov. Brian Kemp, Christopher Escobar of the Atlanta Film Society, Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Georgia) and more than 100 entertainment, civic and business leaders.

Zoom out: Atlanta's competing with 15 other cities , including Savannah and Athens. The deadline to submit proposals was June 21.

What we're watching: Sundance expects to announce the chosen city to host the festival starting in 2027 later this year or early next year, according to its news release outlining the process.

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