Sundance Is Leaving Utah — Here are 7 Other Film Festivals You Can Attend in the State!

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In March 2025, Sundance announced it would be moving the festival from Park City, Utah, to Boulder, Colorado, starting in 2027. It marks the end of a 40-year relationship between the state and what became the most prominent independent film festival in the U.S. Sundance cited Boulder’s creative infrastructure, accessibility, and alignment with the festival’s values as key reasons for the move. Utah, along with Cincinnati, was a finalist in the selection process, but ultimately lost out. The last Sundance held in Utah will take place in January 2026.

This is more than just a change of venue — it’s a shift in identity. Sundance was Utah’s biggest cultural export. It brought in tens of thousands of attendees, filled hotels statewide, and put Park City on the international film map. The loss is economic, reputational, and symbolic. But it’s not a deadly blow. Utah’s independent film community remains active, and the state still hosts a number of important festivals. Here are some of the key ones:

Utah Film Festivals Still Worth Paying Attention To

1. Utah Queer Film Festival (UQFF)

Formerly Damn These Heels, UQFF is Utah’s longest-running LGBTQIA+ film festival. It’s based in Salt Lake City and offers a curated lineup of domestic and international films, panels, and workshops centered on queer stories and creators. It has institutional support and a loyal audience base, with a focus on both celebration and conversation.

2. FilmQuest (Provo)

A genre-focused festival that highlights sci-fi, fantasy, and horror filmmaking. FilmQuest has built a strong reputation nationally, earning recognition from film institutions. It’s highly curated and draws independent filmmakers from around the world who are working in spaces Sundance has historically overlooked.

3. Wasatch Mountain Film Festival (Salt Lake City)

An outdoor and adventure documentary festival that emphasizes environmental and cultural storytelling. It partners with nonprofits and advocacy organizations and leans into Utah’s reputation as an outdoor destination. The festival has grown a lot in both scale and impact since launching in 2015.

4. DOCUTAH (St. George)

Short for the Southern Utah International Documentary Film Festival, DOCUTAH is hosted by Utah Tech University. It focuses exclusively on documentary film and includes an academic component with seminars, panels, and student involvement. International in scope, the programming ranges from social justice to science and education.

5. Tumbleweeds Film Festival (Salt Lake City)

Utah’s only children’s film festival, organized by the Utah Film Center. Tumbleweeds is focused on storytelling for young audiences and includes workshops, interactive media experiences, and screenings geared toward kids and families. It also incorporates media literacy education.

6. Focus on the Future Film Festival (Statewide)

A newer festival aimed at highlighting emerging filmmakers with a connection to Utah. It blends film screenings with career development, panel discussions, and celebration of Utah’s cinematic legacy — from silent films to modern streaming projects.

7. Fear No Film (Salt Lake City)

Part of the annual Utah Arts Festival, Fear No Film is a juried short film program that spans genres and styles. It includes work by local, national, and international filmmakers and has a track record of platforming innovative and experimental voices.

What This Means for Utah’s Film Industry

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Utah still has significant production infrastructure. With tax incentives, a broad range of landscapes, and experienced crew, the state will remain competitive as a shooting location. Films, commercials, and series continue to shoot here, and the state’s film commission remains active.

However, Sundance was more than just an industry event — it was a magnet. It brought executives, journalists, distributors, and creatives into Utah for two weeks each year. Losing that visibility is a blow, and no other festival in the state currently has the same draw or market power.

That said, there is movement. State leaders, including Governor Spencer Cox, have already signaled an interest in developing new events to help fill the gap. Whether that’s a new marquee festival or an expanded role for one of the existing ones remains to be seen.

What’s clear is that Utah’s identity as a film destination will now need to evolve beyond Sundance. There’s still a committed film community here, and several festivals ready to take on a bigger role — if they’re given the support to do so.

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