The final edition of the Sundance Film Festival, held in Salt Lake City, Utah (January 22nd to February 1st), celebrates outstanding moments of the past 40 years and honors founder Robert Redford’s contribution to independent films before the event moved to Colorado in 2027.
The complete program includes over 90 features, episode projects, over 50 shorts, and talks and events from the annual film series.
In a letter released to the media on Monday, Eugene Hernandez, director of the Sundance Film Festival and public programming, said Redford’s “immeasurable influence and unwavering commitment” would be recognized when it was recognized as a “special moment” and “special moment” to Redford’s independent storytelling community.
The thanks will peak in the Sundance Film Festival celebration fundraiser on January 23rd at Grand Hyatt Deer Valley, supporting the Sundance Institute year-round labs, grants and public programming. This is separate from the traditional January 30th awards ceremony at Park City’s Lay Theater.
Starting January 28th, the festival also celebrates Park City, an exclusive ski resort that has been holding events for decades before the festival announces its decision to find a new home in spring 2024, and declares Boulder the winner this March.
In recent years, the small size and frustration of Park City has become a more urgent talk point, part of a local business that caters to winter sports customers, amid a major flood of festival attendees and its aides. Some companies loved to hold festivals at their gateways, while others lamented crashes and corporate activities on Main Street and surrounding streets.
Furthermore, the highly independent filmmakers whose festival was raised struggled with the enormous costs of traveling to elite ski resorts.
Sundance announced its search process in spring 2024, including an option to reduce its presence in Salt Lake City and Park City. In March, Boulder, a university town with a population of about 105,000, announced that it would move forward compared to Park City’s more than 8,200, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The Institute said the new location was in line with the spirit of the festival and cited “a community rooted in independent thinking, artistic exploration and social influence.”
However, the focus of the 2026 edition is to celebrate the old houses of the festival. “Park City is an integral part of our festival and we are honored to show our gratitude,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez said: “As we walk down Main Street, this will once again be pedestrian-only during the 2026 festival! — we look forward to commemorating the precious experiences we have built together while looking at the future,” he added that the festival is no longer what it is today without the local community in Utah.
Screenings will be held at Ecles Theatre, Holiday Village Cinema, Library Center Theatre, Lay Theatre, Redstone Cinema, and at Yarrow Theatre, who returned this year, at Salt Lake Film Society’s Broadway Cinema and Rose Wagner Performing Arts Cinema. The film director’s lodge on Park City’s Main Street hosts beyond film programming, with additional conversations at Ray and Park’s boxes serving as a private event venue.
The premiere will take place from January 22nd to 27th with additional shows throughout the festival. The festival portal for online screening will be active for the press and industry on January 28th, and will be active for the public after a day, showing features in five competition sections including Next. Films in other sections of the lineup can choose to participate for a limited audience.
Hernandez’s letter is fully visible below:
Things you need to know about the 2026 Sundance Film Festival
friend,
The 2026 Sundance Film Festival is only six months away. Today I look forward to sharing some details and updates on upcoming editions in Utah. This year is very meaningful for so many reasons. Our focus is to create a 2026 festival in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah, from January 22nd to February 1st. This is a celebration filled with gratitude and joy.
“Everyone has a story.” – Robert Redford
Robert Redford’s belief in the power of storytelling has shaped independent films for over 40 years. That dedication forged the Sundance Film Festival. From artists premiering their new work to audiences leading to discoveries, our stories throughout each festival showcase what we remember about our lives, change cultures and fresh perspectives. These moments are interwoven into one unified, evolving story of the festival.
The Sundance Institute is a nonprofit dedicated year-round to enhance artists’ strengths and enhance independent storytelling. Every year we are inspired to participate in our biggest artist program, the festival. Here we present your audience to new films and projects created by emerging and established artists as well. We also look forward to expressing our gratitude to the entire Utah community who has supported the festival and built the foundation over the years. The Sundance Institute is energised by its continued involvement with Utah all year round.
Our conversation about our enduring mission is not complete without celebrating the dedication of Mr. Redford, president and founder of the Sundance Institute. He has identified the seriousness of raising new voices and protecting the essence of independent storytelling. That mission continues today and continues for decades to come.
Please participate in the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. Below are some details that will help you plan your own journey to Utah in January.
Mark the calendar
The 2026 Sundance Film Festival will be held in person in Salt Lake City, Utah from January 22nd to February 1st. The premiere will take place on Thursday, January 22nd, Tuesday, January 27th, with audiences taking the first time seeing films, episode projects and more, and additional shows throughout the festival. Starting Wednesday, January 28th, we will begin watching the joys of over 40 years of independent films that premiered in Park City through special screenings and legacy talks and events.
For those looking to take part in the discovery from across the country, we offer home screenings available online from Thursday, January 29th to Sunday, February 1st. Films in other sections of the lineup can also participate in online festival programs for limited audiences. Press and industry will have access to a home-based program for professional communities online, starting one day before Wednesday, January 28th.
Celebrating Robert Redford’s vision
We recognize Robert Redford’s immense influence and his unwavering commitment to the fostering and development of independent storytellers and their stories, along with special moments during the 2026 festival, through the influential Sundance Institute lab, the Sundance Film Festival and more. Redford values the ability to connect directly with artists, especially in the natural environment of Sundance Mountain Resort, during the Artist Lab Program. There, a community of visionary artists will convene bold storytelling, employ creative risks guided by powerful creative advisors, and showcase the world to showcase the film at the festival’s annual director’s branch.
As part of this appreciation, we celebrate Redford’s vision through the celebration of the extraordinary Sundance Film Festival, held at Grand Hyatt Deer Valley on Friday, January 23rd. The annual event allows our nonprofit to raise funds to support independent artists all year round through labs, grants and public programming that grow artists from around the world.
Within the 2026 program
Our complete program includes feature films, episode projects, short films – welcoming over 90 features and 50 shorts in 2026, as well as an annual film series featuring talks and events with the most persuasive artists and more. Stay tuned for more details on the exciting upcoming lineup!
Celebrating our Park City heritage
Park City is an integral part of our festival and we are honored to present our gratitude throughout the 2026 festival, including archive screening, restoration and special event programmes. Walking along Main Street, once again pedestrians will be available during the 2026 festival! – We look forward to commemorating the precious experiences we have built together, looking to the future. These key moments came from our shared history, which has continued to resonate for decades, fostering curiosity and change, and launched some of the most iconic films that have brought about unforgettable experiences.
Local Utah communities are an important part of the Sundance Film Festival. Our dedicated Institute team, passionate volunteers, partners who elevated our gatherings, local artists who worked with us, and enthusiastic audiences. Without you, the festival is not what it is today.
This year marks the culmination of an annual meeting in Park City for the Sundance Film Festival. As you may know, the festival will move to Boulder, Colorado from 2027. Yes, this is a huge change, but it’s important to take this moment and acknowledge all the milestones and memories we’ve shared in Park City.
come
We look forward to introducing world premieres and screenings at our precious venues in Park City, Utah, Holiday Village Cinema, Library Center Theater, Lay Theater, and Redstone Cinema.
In Salt Lake City, where many of our beloved audiences are also joining us, we will be returning to the Salt Lake Film Association’s Broadway Center Cinema and Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center.
The Filmmakers Lodge, located on Park City’s Main Street, is hosted beyond film programming, with additional conversations in Ray and Park boxes serving as a private event venue.
Sundance Film Festival Headquarters and Artists, Industry, Press Hub
This year, both the headquarters and artists, industry and press hubs are located at Sheraton Park City (1895 Sidewinder Dr., Park City, Utah, 84060). Stop by to say hello, check out some products and more.
Award ceremony
This event is when artists come together to honor their achievements and commitment to risk taking and creating pioneering works. The 2026 Sundance Film Festival Jury and Audience Awards will be held at the Ray Theatre in Park City on Friday, January 30th.
stay
If you haven’t already, we recommend booking your trip and accommodation early. For special services and resources, book Parks access, interactive maps, and special services and resources that also support the Sundance Institute’s Artist Program.
Join the donor circle
Your support is essential to fostering independent storytelling. Find out the unique benefits of donor circles. Donor Circles offer more than early access to festival passes and ticket packages. They represent a deeper commitment to the arts, unleashing curated experiences. For more information about Giving Options, contact the development team at gift@sundance.org or (310) 492-2301. Sign up for our mailing list at www.sundance.org and let us know about the festival.
The 2026 Sundance Film Festival is another chance to be part of our ongoing story! We look forward to meetings in Park City and Salt Lake City.
Eugene Hernandez
Director, Sundance Film Festival and Public Programming
(TagStoTRASSLATE)Festival (T)Sundance (T)USA
