MINNEAPOLIS — The curtain has fallen on Minneapolis' chances to host the Sundance Film Festival.
On June 21, Minneapolis submitted its bid to host the famed film festival, touting its existing infrastructure, "thriving theater district" and inclusivity. On Friday, however, the Sundance Institute announced its six finalists, and it didn't include Minneapolis.
“We thank the Sundance Film Festival team for its interest in Minneapolis. While we are disappointed that Minneapolis is not advancing in the selection process, we know that our city is a nation-leading hub of arts and culture; that’s why we love to call it home. We will always search for ways to show off our vibrant and welcoming city," city director of arts & cultural affairs Ben Johnson said in a statement. "We wish Sundance continued success wherever this process leads it, and we will continue to support the Minnesota films and filmmakers selected for future festivals.”
The six finalists are:
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Boulder, Colorado
- Cincinnati, Ohio
- Louisville, Kentucky
- Park City/Salt Lake City, Utah
- Santa Fe, New Mexico
"As we very carefully consider this important decision for our Festival, we believe these six finalists allow us the best opportunity to not only secure a sustainable future for our Festival, but also to build upon its legacy while continuing to support the next generation of storytellers and highlight bold new works of art,” said Ebs Burnough, Sundance Institute board chair, and Amanda Kelso, Sundance Institute acting CEO, in a joint statement. “We are grateful to all the communities who have expressed interest and been a part of the process, and we have valued the opportunity to learn about the uniqueness of each location."
Park City, Utah has been the host of Sundance, the largest independent film festival in the nation, for the past 40 years, but earlier this year, officials with the Sundance Institute announced they were beginning a “process to explore viable locations in the United States to host the Sundance Film Festival beginning in 2027."
Members of the selection committee will visit each of the final six cities before a decision is announced in early 2025.