Overview
The Sundance Institute is one of the world's leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to discovering, developing and supporting independent artists and storytellers. Founded in 1981 by actor and filmmaker Robert Redford, the Institute provides year-round programs that nurture emerging and established filmmakers, screenwriters, producers and other creative artists through labs, fellowships, grants, mentorship and professional development. Its mission is to champion original voices and foster independent storytelling that inspires audiences and drives meaningful cultural conversations.
The Institute is best known for producing the internationally renowned Sundance Film Festival, the premier showcase for independent film in the United States. For decades, the festival has launched the careers of countless filmmakers and premiered award-winning films that have gone on to achieve critical acclaim and commercial success. In 2025, the Sundance Institute announced that beginning in 2027, the Sundance Film Festival will relocate to Boulder, Colorado, under a 10-year agreement with the City of Boulder. The move represents a transformative opportunity for Colorado's film industry, bringing one of the world's most influential film festivals to the state while generating significant economic, cultural and educational benefits.
The festival's arrival is expected to elevate Colorado's profile as a premier destination for independent filmmaking, attracting filmmakers, producers, distributors, investors and media professionals from around the globe. Beyond the festival itself, the Sundance Institute's presence will create opportunities for collaboration with Colorado's universities, film organizations, regional film commissions and creative businesses, strengthening the state's growing film ecosystem.
For filmmakers across Colorado—including those in the Pikes Peak Region—the Sundance Institute's move to Boulder represents an unprecedented opportunity to build connections, gain industry exposure and participate in one of the world's most respected communities dedicated to independent film.
