Minneapolis loses bid to host Sundance Film Festival

Minneapolis is out of the running as host of the Sundance Film Festival.

The city did not advance to the final round of bidding in the competition to be the new home for the largest independent film festival in the U.S., according to an email from a member of the local bid team.

Sundance Film Festival has been held in Park City, Utah, for 40 years. When organizers announced in April they were searching for a new home for the 2027 festival, the Minneapolis City Council moved to submit a bid. The city submitted its proposal on June 21.

Minnesotans from across the private and philanthropic sectors and city and state government quickly came together to make a compelling case for Minneapolis, a bid team spokesperson said in an email.

“As one of [a] handful of cities invited to submit a full proposal, we were able to make a compelling case for Minneapolis that highlighted our incredible assets. While we are disappointed, this process has shown that we are a tight-knit, agile and willing community,” the email said.

The six cities selected to move forward as finalists are Atlanta, Boulder, Cincinnati, Louisville, Park City/Salt Lake City, and Santa Fe, the nonprofit Sundance Institute announced Friday.

The selection committee said that they were impressed with the proposal Minneapolis put forward and the city’s capability with large events.

The city will continue to support the Minnesota films and filmmakers selected for future festivals, Ben Johnson, Minneapolis director of arts and cultural affairs said in a statement.

“While we are disappointed that Minneapolis is not advancing in the selection process, we know that our city is a nation-leading hub of arts and culture; that’s why we love to call it home,” Johnson said.