Atlanta named as a finalist to potentially host Sundance Film Festival in future years

The Egyptian Theatre is seen during the Sundance Film Festival on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024, in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

 The Sundance Institute on Friday announced six finalists in its search for a new host location for the influential film festival.

After 40 years in Park City, Utah, the festival is eyeing locations across the country for festivals starting in 2027 when its existing contract will be up for renewal. The snowy mountain town, along with Salt Lake City, will still be home to the 2025 and 2026 festivals, and the Utah cities are one of the six options for future festivals.

The other five finalists are Atlanta; Cincinnati; Boulder, Colorado; Louisville, Kentucky and Santa Fe, New Mexico. These cities are moving along in the selection process after a competitive request for proposal phase that started in May and saw submissions from across the country.