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Leaving Utah would be the ‘death knell’ for Sundance, governor says

FILE - Utah Gov. Spencer Cox speaks at the PBS Utah Governor's Monthly News Conference at the Eccles Broadcast Center in Salt Lake City, Oct. 19, 2023. On Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, Utah's legislature became the latest in the U.S. to pass a bill prohibiting diversity training, hiring and inclusion programs at universities and in state government. The bill now heads to Cox, who has said he is likely to sign such a bill into law.
Laura Seitz/AP
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Pool The Deseret News
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox was sworn into a second term in office earlier this month.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox says it would be a mistake for the Sundance Film Festival to leave the state.

Gov. Cox said Jan. 16 he’s been in regular conversation with Sundance Film Festival officials, as they consider moving to a new home in 2027.

“I think it would be a huge mistake for Sundance themselves to move,” Cox said. “I think it would be really a death knell for Sundance.”

Sundance is considering three finalists for a new 10-year contract: a dual bid of Park City and Salt Lake City, Boulder, Colorado, and Cincinnati, Ohio.

The nonprofit announced in April 2024 it was considering a move, citing financial pressures and a lack of accessibility in Park City.

“I talked to some people in Hollywood and some actors and some who when they found out Sundance was considering moving, they couldn’t believe it,” the governor said. “They were kind of dumbfounded, and they laughed when they heard some of the potential destinations… It’s just so ubiquitous with Utah and the opportunities it provides here. Look, if Sundance decides to go, we’ll be fine. I don’t think Sundance will be fine, but we’ll be fine.”

Cox said Utah should continue to be the institute’s long-term home, similar to comments he made during a press conference in September.

“They are an incredible driver for our economy,” he said.

The governor said the state is working with Sundance officials to assist with next week’s festival amid the ongoing wildfires in Southern California.

“We’ve been proactive,” Cox said. “We’ve reached out to them to see how we can help with those who have been displaced or are struggling ahead of Sundance, which is coming up very quickly.”

The 2025 Sundance Film Festival begins in Park City and Salt Lake City Thursday, Jan. 23 and runs through Sunday, Feb. 2.

Sundance has said it plans to make an announcement about a potential relocation in the first quarter of this year, following the festival.