Atlanta Selected as 2027 Sundance Film Festival Finalist

ATLANTA — Atlanta has been named one of six finalists to host the Sundance Film Festival, and it could host the festival, according to a news release from organizers.

If selected, Atlanta will be the host city from 2027 and beyond.

“Atlanta is a diverse and inclusive city of creatives, thinkers, artists and storytellers who embrace the core values ​​of the Sundance Film Festival and want to see Atlanta contribute to the legacy of Sundance,” said Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens.

According to a press release from the Sundance Institute, organizers evaluated each city’s infrastructure, ethics, equity values ​​and even its ability to host the festival.

The press release adds that organizers considered how each city could serve and support the Sundance community, independent artists and audiences.

She added that each city had to demonstrate how it intended to foster the community and culture of the festival.

Mayor Dickens said in a statement that he will continue to promote Atlanta’s arts and film culture in hopes of it becoming the next host city.

“As we move forward in this process, we will continue to shine a spotlight on Atlanta’s unique art, culture and attributes in hopes of earning the opportunity to engage and inspire the next generation of filmmakers and Sundance attendees,” Dickens added.

Here are the other cities on the list:

• Boulder, Colorado
• Cincinnati, Ohio
• Louisville, Kentucky
• Park City/Salt Lake City, Utah
• Santa Fe, New Mexico

“For more than 40 years, Sundance has championed, supported, and helped shine a spotlight on independent filmmakers and their work. As we carefully consider this important decision for our festival, we believe these six finalists offer us the best opportunity to not only ensure a sustainable future for our festival, but to build on its legacy while continuing to support the next generation of storytellers and showcase bold new works of art,” said Ebs Burnough, Chair of the Sundance Institute Board of Trustees, and Amanda Kelso, Interim CEO of the Sundance Institute.

The Sundance Film Festival has long been a springboard for independent filmmakers, supporting the early careers of Christopher Nolan, Quentin Tarantino, and more. The festival’s winning films are often among the most critically acclaimed films of the year. Last year, the festival produced Céline Song’s Past Lives , which was nominated for Best Picture and Best Screenplay. Other titles from the festival that have reached the Oscars include 2022 Best Picture winner CODA , Summer Of Soul (…Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised) , and Minari .

“The Institute will continue to focus on conducting a fair and comprehensive review of the six potential partners and will not provide comment during the review process,” a press release said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.