Cincinnati, Ohio – The Sundance Film Festival has made the decision not to come to Cincinnati in 2027. This announcement comes after Film Cincinnati CEO Kristen Schlotman revealed that the festival had chosen not to host its event in the city. Despite this, Schlotman expressed pride in Cincinnati’s representation in the film industry. She highlighted the city’s focus on sustainability, growth, equity, accessibility, and delivering a unique festival experience as key qualities that align with global film festival trends.
While the specific location chosen by the Sundance Film Festival has not been officially disclosed, Schlotman hinted that it would be a “more familiar setting.” Cincinnati was named one of three finalists to host the festival, alongside potential locations in Colorado and Utah. The festival had been exploring new options following the conclusion of its contract with Park City/Salt Lake City in 2026.
The Sundance Institute reviewed proposals from various cities, assessing factors such as infrastructure, ethos, equity values, event hosting capabilities, and capacity for supporting the festival’s growth. Cincinnati’s Mayor Aftab Pureval expressed confidence in the city’s ability to serve as a suitable host, with City Council offering financial support to demonstrate their commitment to the event.
With Sundance’s potential to bring new jobs and significant economic impact to its host city, the stakes were high for Cincinnati in securing the prestigious festival. Since its inception as the Utah/US Film Festival in 1978, Sundance has been exclusively hosted in the Park City/Salt Lake City area. The decision to explore new locations reflects a pivotal moment for the festival and the global film community, as organizers seek to uphold the essence of the festival experience while ensuring sustainability moving forward.