Louisville is no longer in the running to host the Sundance Film Festival, according to festival organizers.
In July 2024, it was announced that Louisville, Ky. was one of the six finalists that could potentially host the Sundance Film Festival. When asked for a comment on the finalist selection, 2023 Asbury grad Gavin Reed stated, “A common sentiment I’ve picked up on-set is that most out-of-towners, especially LA people, think Kentucky is just a bunch of backwoods ‘filmmakers’ who don’t actually know what they’re doing and then end up leaving very impressed by the talent we have here. The hope is certainly that Sundance coming to Louisville would help boost the already growing market here up to the next level. I’m very excited to see what Kentucky film looks like in the next ten years.”
Sundance is a program run by the Sundance Institute, a non-profit. According to their website, the Sundance Film Festival “is the ultimate gathering of original storytellers and audiences seeking new voices and fresh perspectives.”
“Our annual program includes dramatic and documentary features, short films and episodic content. We also host daily filmmaker conversations, panel discussions and other events. Since 1985, hundreds of films launched at the Festival have gone on to gain critical acclaim and reach new audiences worldwide,” their website states.
The Sundance Film Festival has been held in Park City, Utah for the past 40 years and will be held there in 2025 and 2026 as well. The festival will be moving locations in 2027 and they have recently begun scouting new locations. The festival wants to build on its foundation for accessibility and serve a global community, citing this as the reason for the change in location.
Unfortunately, it was soon announced that the finalist list had been narrowed down, and Louisville is no longer in the running. The remaining finalists are Park City, Utah; Salt Lake, Utah; Boulder, Colorado and Cincinnati, Ohio. The final decision will be announced in the first quarter of 2025.
Although this decision comes as a disappointment, it should be noted that it is an honor just to be considered. While Kentucky is not a state that comes to many people’s minds when discussing vibrant arts communities, Kentucky has a rich (although often unrecognized) history of the arts, and this nomination is evidence of that.
Louisville may not have won the Sundance Film Festival nomination, but that doesn’t mean it is a complete loss. More eyes from the film industry are on Kentucky, thus, it is vital that Kentucky continue to support its local filmmakers.
One way that you can support filmmaking in Kentucky, as well as celebrate incredible films from all over the world, is to get involved in places like the Louisville Film Society. According to their website, the Louisville Film Society celebrates “the art of cinema in all its glory.”
“As a passionate community of film enthusiasts, we are dedicated to providing resources and support to local filmmakers as well as enriching the Greater Louisville community through exposure to engaging and innovative films and cinematic programming,” their website states.
Local filmmakers are also encouraged to enter programs like the Short Film Slam and Film Friendly Festival.
Regardless of what organizations you choose to support, the best way to support filmmakers in Kentucky is to watch, buy and spread the word about their films.
