Atlanta out of running to be new home of Sundance Film Festival

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Sundance dreams have been dashed, as Atlanta is out of the running to become the new home of the iconic film festival.

Atlanta was one of six finalists to host the Sundance Film Festival starting in 2027.

Sundance Film Festival narrowed its search for its new home to three cities: Salt Lake City/Park City, Utah; Boulder, Colorado; and Cincinnati, Ohio.

Other finalist cities included Louisville, Kentucky and Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Christopher Escobar is the executive director of the Atlanta Film Festival, who also runs the Plaza and Tara theaters.

“Little disappointed because it would have been a game changer for Atlanta,” he said. “At the same time, we were beating the odds, as we beat 84 other cities to be in the running.”

Of the six finalists, Atlanta was the largest city considered.

In its pitch, city leaders pledged $2 million towards the event, boasting the city’s status as an event hub.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Atlanta submits proposal, pledges millions in bid to host Sundance Film Festival

“We have now been able to see ourselves in our city in a different way,” Escobar added. “We were able to think about possibilities of what a world class film festival would be like here in Atlanta.”

Over at Georgia State University, students were working on a film Thursday night.

Nathan Archer manages the marketing and events for GSU’s Creative Media Industries Institute.

“We are not at a loss for film festivals here,” he said. “There are always outlets for students and our local talent to showcase their work and make the industry connections.”

Seth Ingram is the creative director of the Rome International Film Festival. He believes the best has yet to come for the film industry in Georgia.

“It was great that Atlanta pursued the Sundance Film Festival,” he said. “I’m bummed that they didn’t get it, although it gives us a chance to do something on our own, built right here in Georgia.”

Escobar shared a similar sentiment.

“With both strikes behind us and in the rearview mirror, Georgia is incredibly poised for an amazing comeback,” he concluded.

The Sundance Institute will announce its new host city following the 2025 festival.