Sundance Film Festival celebrates "Last Dance" in Park City ahead of Boulder move
They're calling it "The Last Dance"; the last year the Sundance Film Festival will be held in Park City, Utah. Event organizers and Colorado representatives are taking the opportunity to note what makes Sundance special and plan for next year's event in Boulder.
The country's leading showcase for independent films opened Thursday and will offer nearly 100 features. This year also commemorates Robert Redford, the founder of the Sundance Institute, who died last year. Over the last four decades, the festival has inspired artists and has become a major platform for independent voices.
Executives at the festival say this year is bittersweet. There's a storied history in Park City, and many shop owners said they'll miss not only the crowds but also the customers, the stories, and the chance to rub shoulders with celebrities.
Of course, at the center of it all are the films.
John Nein, Senior Programmer and Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Sundance Film Festival, said there are many factors to consider to ensure the festival's success. He says one of the most important features to visitors and organizers is the feeling of community.
"One of the things that you'll hear filmmakers say that is special about Sundance is they'll just be walking down the street, and someone will say, 'Hey, you're the person who made this film,' and it's actually kind of a great moment for them because they're being recognized for the work that they do," Nein shared.
"The venues and what makes them special, and having a range of places that you screen films, and having things as simple as pedestrian traffic, how do you make sure that people run into each other and talk about movies?" he asked.
Representatives from the City of Boulder also made the journey to get ready for next year. A member of the Boulder Police Department spoke with CBS Colorado at the festival, explaining that they're taking a close look at how security is run for the event in Park City to learn and plan for the future.
Nein says that, although the festival found an amazing home in Park City, they're looking forward to discovering what it can become in Boulder.
More than a dozen Boulder representatives are visiting Park City during Sundance this year to take a look at everything from traffic logistics to security. Commander Michael Heath with Boulder Police says meeting with Utah officials and getting an overview of the festival before it comes to Boulder can help them plan everything from traffic logistics to security.
"Understanding what [Park City has] done over the last several years, it makes no sense for us to try to completely recreate the wheel when they already have successful plans that have been put into place, that we can adopt some of those plans for us," Heath said.
Colorado-based filmmakers like Erik Osterholm, who helped found film studio UltraBoom Media are also getting excited for the move while enjoying this year's festival in Park City.
"It's a really special experience, obviously," Osterholm said. "It's the culmination of so many amazing storytellers coming together from all over the world, essentially colliding on four to six blocks of the main street."
Now, as both Utah and Colorado prepare for that transition, Park City Mayor Ryan Dickey has some advice.
"Boulder, get ready. We have tens of thousands of people who come here for Sundance, and they're coming for you next. So you have big traffic impacts. You have a lot of local restaurants and hot spots that locals love to go to that will completely change over for corporate sponsor buyouts for different events. It really transforms Park City into a different place, in a way, and it's a lot of fun, but you've got to get ready for the impacts," Dickey said.
And while Sundance is contracted to be in Boulder for the next 10 years, longtime local volunteers like Williams are still holding out hope: "I really don't want to say goodbye. I'm hoping they return."
