Santa Fe's high-profile Sundance Film Festival bid came to an end Thursday as the Sundance Institute announced it has narrowed its search to three finalist cities in the running to host the influential festival starting in 2027.
The City Different was not among them.Â
In the announcement, Sundance highlighted the three locations that remain in the running — Boulder, Colo; Cincinnati; and the combination Salt Lake City and Park City. Of the six finalists announced in July, no longer being considered are Santa Fe, Atlanta, and Louisville, Ky.Â
"They just opened the envelope, and Santa Fe didn’t get the Oscar from the Sundance Film Festival — disappointing! But we did get nominated, and we put on a great show. From the State, we got unlimited support," Mayor Alan Webber said in a statement. "Our film community, hotels, and restaurants demonstrated the heart-warming character of Santa Fe."
Webber credited Santa Fe Film Commissioner Jennifer LaBar-Tapia with spearheading the effort.Â
In what was touted as a major win for the city, Santa Fe — an arts mecca in the Southwest with a film festival of its own — was named one of the six finalist cities Sundance in July. Members of Sundance's selection committee later toured the city.
"We did hear from the Sundance that, while we won’t be their new home, there’s no doubt that Santa Fe will be a role in the future of their festival," Webber said in the statement. "A great big thanks to everyone who gave it their all — Santa Fe should be proud."
Sundance said the decision will be announced next year after the 2025 festival, in late winter or early spring. The festival will continue to take place in Park City in 2025 and 2026.
"All three finalists were assessed on ethos and equity values, infrastructure, and capabilities to host the Festival, in addition to demonstrating ways in which they will continue to foster the diverse Sundance community and inspire the next generation of independent filmmakers," the Sundance announcement stated.Â
The city of Santa Fe and Santa Fe County submitted a joint bid to be the next location of the festival after the Sundance Institute announced in April it was looking for a new location after its contract with Park City expires.
Hosted by Park City for 40 years, the festival features independent films and attracts tens of thousands of film enthusiasts, virtually and in person.
The festival began searching for a new home earlier this year. While reasons for the move are unclear, the festival has seen a drop in in-person attendance since the coronavirus pandemic, drawing 86,824 attendees in 2023, compared to 116,800 in 2020.
This is a developing story. Check back for more details.
