Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity Managing Director of Operations Kamron Dalton recently discussed the new incentives for Sundance with the legislature’s Economic and Community Development Appropriations Subcommittee.
“This is an international festival that is recognition for the state,” Dalton said. “The funding is recommended for one time of $1.5 million and ongoing for $1.5 million. Those would be tied, obviously, to the festival staying. I know leadership and others have had many discussions with that team, and we’re hopeful to keep that as a bright spot for Utah moving forward, and these funds would certainly help that to continue.”
The governor’s $3 million request needs approvals from two budget committees before it would come up for a vote by the legislature in a final budget bill. That’s usually passed in the last few days of the legislative session which ends March. 7.
Utah Film Commission Director Virginia Pearce said the new money does not include funds from Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Park City or other private donors.
The Utah committee leading negotiations with Sundance told KPCW last year it could provide $4 million in financial assistance – an amount they claim the festival already receives through state and local government incentives.
The committee has also pledged $2 million cash and in-kind support from local, corporate, foundation and individual donors.
Last year Sundance Film Festival officials announced the nonprofit would explore host locations outside of Park City, due to affordability concerns and to be more accessible to audiences.
To keep Sundance, Utah is pitching a new model for the festival that would involve more screenings and events in Salt Lake City, with Park City serving as an ancillary location.
Numerous cities submitted bids to host Sundance. In addition to Utah, Boulder, Colorado and Cincinnati, Ohio also made the final cut.
Sundance Film Festival Director Eugene Hernandez said Jan. 22 the nonprofit intends to make a final decision about relocation in the late winter or early spring.
The winning bidder will enter into a ten-year contract with Sundance that would begin in 2027. Park City is slated to host at least one more festival in 2026.
Colorado state lawmakers are reviewing a bill that includes an incentive package of $34 million over 10 years. The bill recently passed out of committee and will now be considered by the state’s House of Representatives. The funds would add to the $1.5 million that Colorado has already approved to lure Sundance.
In Cincinnati, the city council has allocated $2.5 million for the film festival. The council is expected to release an additional $2.5 million if Sundance chooses to move to the banks of the Ohio River.
Park City Chamber CEO Jennifer Wesselhoff has said one of Sundance’s key concerns is the cost of housing hundreds of staff and volunteers during the festival.
Using data from the housing website Zillow, KPCW reviewed the average rental costs in the three areas.
Cincinnati has the cheapest average rent at nearly $1,400 per month. Salt Lake City is above $1,500. Boulder is more expensive, with an average rent above $2,700. Park City’s average is over $3,600.
