Latest news with #Worel
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Utah loses bid to keep Sundance Film Festival after 40 years of history
Live video: Boulder officials hold a conference on the Sundance Film Festival's move to Colorado. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — The iconic Sundance Film Festival that began in Park City 40 years ago will be moving out of Utah starting in 2027. Officials announced Thursday that Boulder, Colorado was selected as the new venue for future festivals nearly a year after the Sundance Institute said it was . The morning before the big announcement, Cincinnati film officials announced the city was out of the running, leaving Salt Lake City and Boulder, Colorado as the finalists. But ultimately, Utah lost the bid. 'Words cannot express the sincere gratitude I have for Park City, the state of Utah, and all those in the Utah community that have helped to build the organization. What we've created is remarkably special and defining,' said Robert Redford, the founder and president of Sundance Institute. Redford continued to say that 'change is inevitable' and key to the institute's survival. Since the institute announced it was exploring new venues to host the festival last April, Utah officials that has a history in Utah since its start in the 1980s. The process included three official visits from the Sundance Institute, three presentations, and 'countless meetings,' according to Salt Lake City officials. One of Utah's most notable pitches was to move the majority of the festival from Park City to Utah's capital, in the hopes of providing the festival with a new feel and greater infrastructure. Salt Lake City and Park City leaders released a joint statement following the announcement, saying that despite the disappointment of losing the festival, they are dedicated to continuing to foster the arts in their communities. 'While we are naturally disappointed by the decision, the State of Utah, Park City and Salt Lake City have long been proud partners of the Festival, and we are grateful for the lasting impact it has had on our communities. We remain committed to fostering the arts right here in Utah, where the spirit of storytelling will always thrive,' the statement reads. Park City Mayor Nann Worel said the festival's departure 'marks the end of an incredible era, but not the end of Park City's magic.' 'For over 40 years, we weren't just the host of the Sundance Film Festival – Park City was part of the beating heart of the independent spirit that made it such a success. While I am deeply disappointed, I'm grateful for the legacy we built together,' Worel said. Worel said they 'put our heart and soul into finding a way to keep Sundance in Utah,' adding, 'Frankly, I don't know if there is anything else we could have done.' 'To our residents: Our commitment to the creative spirit of the arts has always been a cornerstone of our community. We will continue to build on that legacy – we will deepen our investment in arts and culture – with energy, purpose, and that Park City magic that defines us,' Worel said. Sundance Institute said the finalist's bids were 'tremendously comprehensive and compelling proposals,' and thanked the Utah Host Committee for working with them to envision 'a future for the Festival.' The festival will take place in Park City as usual next year and move to Boulder in 2027. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sundance's Future In Utah Looks Bleak As Park City Mayor Laments Anti-LGBTQ+ Flag Bill
With just two days to go until Utah's governor either signs or vetos a controversial bill that would ban the Pride Flag from government buildings in the state, the chances of Sundance staying in the Beehive State aren't looking good. At least according to Park City's Mayor. More from Deadline Sony Pictures Classics Acquires Worldwide Rights To 'Oh, Hi!' Starring Logan Lerman And Molly Gordon Utah's Hopes Of Keeping Sundance Threatened By Anti-Pride Flag Bill On Governor's Desk New Distribution Venture Cartuna X Dweck Takes North American Rights For Sundance & SXSW Thriller 'Dead Lover' 'Deputy City Manager Sarah Pearce and I have worked closely for a year now, one year now, with Jennifer Wesselhoff at the Park City Chamber, the mayors and staff of Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County, state elected officials and other stakeholders to reimagine a Sundance Film Festival in Utah that combines the magic of Park City with the affordability of the Salt Lake area,' Nann Worel said late Tuesday in her annual state of the Park City speech. Along with Gov. Spencer Cox, Utah Film Commissioner Virginia Pearce and the other officials Worel mentioned, the Park City leader has been a big advocate for the multi-million dollar United Utah effort that would see the state capitol become Sundance's hub and Park City become the satellite screening venue in 2027. But larger political winds may have blown that plan away. 'Unfortunately, a recent bill passed by the Utah legislature and comments made by some legislature have not been helpful in our bid to keep the festival here,' the retiring resort town mayor told local luminaries this evening of the bill designed to ban LGBTQ+ flags and banners on public buildings and schools. Worel's remarks come as a final decision on Sundance's future expected very soon, according to what festival director Eugene Hernandez told Deadline's Mike Fleming Jr. on February 22. After a year of bids, competition and reimagining of a post-Park City Sundance, Utah's desire to keep the Robert Redford founded fest is up against a very strong and $34 million tax incentive juiced bid from Boulder CO and a resilient effort from Cincinnati, OH. Gov. Cox and the Utah legislature have put over $3.5 million in state funds directly on the table at the last minute to keep the big bucks gross domestic product, tax revenue and employment generating Sundance in the state. Yet, as first Deadline reported on March 12 and apparently has intensified since, the battle to keep Sundance that may already be lost in part because of the anti-Pride flag bill, several sources say. With undeniable pessimism in her voice, Mayor Worel added Tuesday: 'Regardless of the festival's trajectory, I am proud of Park City's efforts, and we will continue to support the arts and explore new opportunities. Change is inevitable with the festival, but if the Sundance Institute chooses to leave our state, we will not only survive, we will thrive.' Trajectory or not, the tender to keep Sundance local once its current contract expires after the 2026 festival faces serious headwinds from the passage earlier this month in the Republican dominated state chambers of House Bill 77, or the Flag Display Amendments. Headwinds so strong that they have likely irrevocably tipped the fine balance that progressive Sundance and primarily Red State Utah have been able to maintain the past 40 years, I'm told. Even with very vocal opposition to the Rep. Trevor Lee and Sen. Daniel McCay sponsored HB77 from SLC Mayor Erin Mendenhall, direct pleas from her and others in the state to the Sundance leadership to remember the history the Robert Redford founded fest and Utah have received a skeptical reaction. The bill is 'a slap in the face,' according to a well-positioned source, to the festival's proclaimed values of being 'vibrant, inviting and inclusive.' However, as much as Gov. Cox says he values Sundance, the 2024 re-elected politician also has a hard deadline of March 27 to either sign the anti-Pride flag bill into law or veto it. If Cox signs it, which smart money says he will, the measure will go into effect in early May. Starting months before the last Park City centric Sundance next year, there will be $500 fine daily for every Pride flag flying from state funded buildings. Objections to the bill from the ACLU and Equality Utah have also seen longtime anti-Pride flag promoters Rep. Lee and Sen. McCay (who recently said Sundance makes 'porn' and 'does not fit in Utah anymore' while reposting a Deadline story) make their POV very clear online. SLC Mayor Mendenhall's office and Sundance did not respond to request for comment Tuesday. Neither Rep. Lee nor Sen. McCay got back to us about the state of their legislation with Gov. Cox or Mayor Worel's speech. Praising the Winter Olympics returning to Utah in 2034, Mayor Nann Worel surprised many in Park City tonight when that she announced she will not be seeking a second term. Worel, the first woman to be Park City's mayor, will leave office in January 2026 – just before the next and possibly last Sundance Film Festival in Utah. Best of Deadline 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery How To Watch 'Wicked: Part One': Is The Film Streaming Yet? All The Songs In 'Severance' Season 2: From The Who To Ella Fitzgerald
