The 2025 Sundance Film Festival is upon us! Scheduled to take place in Park City, Utah, Jan. 23- Feb. 2, eyes were already scrutinizing the venerable independent filmmaker program after they announced a possible relocation for 2027 and beyond. When The Sundance Institute took over the seven-year-old Utah/U.S. Film Festival in 1985, they had no idea it would become the country’s premiere film festival nearly 40 years later with 423,234 combined in-person and online viewership in 2023. But could global events affect the Sundance Film Festival and finally push them out of little ol’ Park City?

It’s hard to ignore the subtle decline in enthusiasm for the Fest. Overcrowding (which the Covid pandemic actually helped quell), the increased cost of attending Sundance (tickets are $35/film this year and lodging is through the roof), and the ease of streaming have taken their toll. And, as other festivals, filmmakers, or film-related events have risen in prominence, attention has waned for the Utah fest both with the media and film industry. Think about it, if someone doesn’t write and talk publicly about a Sundance movie, will anyone care about it?

Some critics argue that in recent years, Sundance’s selection process has become more focused on films that are trendy or politically charged, rather than films with innovative storytelling, fresh voices, or unique perspectives.** This has led to a perception that the festival has sacrificed the artistic edge that once set it apart in favor of more predictable, formulaic programming. That is so not true! Just look at the programming for this year’s Fest. Still, perception trumps reality when it comes to social influencing that attempts to portray Sundance as an elitist gathering for industry professionals.

**Of the 4,138 feature film submissions, 1,591 were from the U.S. and 2,547 were international; 1,207 (32%) were directed by one or more filmmakers who identify as women; 74 (2%) were directed by one or more filmmakers who identify as nonbinary or gender-nonconforming individuals; 1,834 (51%) were directed by one or more filmmakers who identify as people of color; 555 (19%) were directed by one or more filmmakers who identify as LGBTQ+; 34 (1%) were directed by one or more filmmakers who identify as transgender; 219 (6%) were directed by one or more filmmakers who identify as having a disability.

It’s Not the Content but the Platform

Filmmaking itself has evolved, with new formats (like short-form content, web series, and experimental virtual reality) and methods of distribution challenging traditional forms of storytelling. While Sundance has made efforts to adapt to these shifts by offering a significant portion of their Fest online, the “progress” has ironically eroded the in-person festival experience. Why spend thousands of dollars to travel to a cold, crowded clime when you can watch films from home?

Other Reasons To Stay Home

Even if the cost of traveling in- and to- the US hadn’t skyrocketed, there is so much happening in the world today that many former Sundance regulars must take a break. This year, many of them are coming from California which is still fighting fires, homeowners’ insurance claims, and the stress of what’s to come. We probably won’t know the impact of this tragedy on attendance until the end of the Fest when numbers are announced.

So what will Sundance 2025 look like? Your guess is as good as mine. Day One is in the can so to speak, with screenings that began at noon and ran through nearly midnight. Every single one sold out. Looks like a healthy sign to us!