The nation’s largest independent film festival just held its first event on Thursday in preparation for its 2027 Boulder debut.
The eTown Theater was abuzz as Sundance Film Festival Senior Programmer and Director of Strategic Initiatives John Nein took the stage. He opened his History of Sundance presentation by addressing the local Boulderites. “It feels weird to welcome you to where you live.” Beginning in January 2027, Boulder will be not just the festival’s host, but its audience, volunteer force and for a lucky few, its participants.
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This event, the first of many leading up to the festival’s debut, gave the people a look at what to expect when the flurry of film and art hits their not-so-quiet mountain town. Presenters demonstrated the process by which films are selected by running a Simpsons clip. Advice like “It’s kind of a circus,” and “If you suffer from FOMO you’re doomed…” piqued the audience’s interest without revealing any practical plans for the festival. The Sundance speakers regaled us with stories about Kevin Smith officiating a wedding after a showing of Clerks, and Brittany Spears describing the festival as “Weird.”
But through all the theater, there was a core to the message. The same spirit that Robert Redford brought when he co-founded the Sundance Institute in 1981 remains today. This is a festival by filmmakers for filmmakers. Viewers are invited to take part. The Sundance Institute does more than just pick movies and put them on the screen — it serves as a mentor program and an incubator for film as an artform. Filmmaker Sean Wang — famous for 2024’s Didi — describes Sundance as having launched his career through the Ignite Program for aspiring filmmakers aged 18-25.
“It gave me not only financial, but emotional support,” Wang said. “The workshops gave me permission to be vulnerable, to look inside.”
Another guest and long-time Sundance participant Pete Nicks echoed the sentiment from the other side. “The notion that I had taken for granted was the idea of the impact you can have as a mentor.” While the Sundance Film Festival inevitably conjures up memories of movies like Little Miss Sunshine, The Blair Witch Project, and Call Me By Your Name, it is this spirit of mentorship and camaraderie in making film that drives the entire concept.
Unfortunately, the organizers remained tight-lipped on any practical details for the festival. Due to its cultural significance and the fact that the launch party was held there, it is safe to assume that eTown will be involved. And while the Sundance website currently features images of Mackie Auditorium and the Boulder Theater, no other venues were officially announced.
What we do know is this — there will be around 120 showings, including debuts and repeats, the effort will require about 1,500 volunteers and Boulder can expect somewhere around 72,000 people to attend. Along with the films comes a surge of art and music as the curious and curiously talented converge to be part of the scene. Sundance may be moving, but it is Boulder being welcomed to the circus.
For all of the anecdotes, Mr. Nein did have some genuine advice for those of us looking to attend. “Be kind, don’t believe the hype, and go see a movie.”