Louisville will not host Sundance Festival, Cincinnati still in the running

LOUISVILLE, Ky. ( FOX 56 ) — Movie buffs are still waiting to see who will host the Sundance Film Festival in 2027.

On Thursday, the Sundance Institute released the three finalists for the 2027 festival.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

• Louisville will not host Sundance Festival, Cincinnati still in the running
• Lexington pair indicted in death of infant
• Nationwide school lockdowns due to threats: 12 Kentucky counties disrupted

Louisville, which was previously on the shortlist, has been cut. But Kentuckians might still get lucky if our neighbor in Ohio comes out on top.

The institute said these cities are still in the running, with a decision expected in early 2025:

• Boulder, Colorado
• Cincinnati, Ohio
• Park City/Salt Lake City, Utah

“All three finalists were assessed 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 Sundance Institute said in a news release.

The Sundance Film Festival is the largest independent film festival in the U.S. and historically always took place in a Park City, but the institute opened bids in April.

“As we move to the next phase in our search for a sustainable home for the Sundance Film Festival, we see great promise and potential in Boulder, Cincinnati, and Salt Lake/Park City. Each has shown us the blend of exciting possibilities, values, and logistics needed to produce a vibrant, inviting, and inclusive Festival. We’re excited for a future Sundance that can discover, support, and inspire artists and audiences for the next forty years,” said Eugene Hernandez, festival director and head of public programming.

The Sundance Institute team thanked Louisville for their warm welcome despite not making the final cut.

“We are deeply grateful to all the finalists and appreciate the partnership and ingenuity we found in the three moving forward. as well as Atlanta, Louisville, and Santa Fe this summer. Leaders and locals in each community generously welcomed and inspired us as we explored the potential for our Festival in 2027, and beyond. On behalf of the entire Sundance Institute team, thank you,” said Ebs Burnough, Sundance Institute board chair.

The Sundance Film Festival will continue in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2025 and 2026. It will then be moved to the new host city in 2027.

“We are ecstatic to continue being considered as the next host city for the Sundance Film Festival. 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,” Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval and President/CEO of Film Cincinnati Kristen Schlotman said in a news release.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.