The Last Sundance (in Park City) and Why Boulder?

Summary of The Last Sundance (in Park City) and Why Boulder?

by The Ringer

32m•January 21, 2026
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Overview of The Town — "The Last Sundance (in Park City) and Why Boulder?"

This episode of The Town (The Ringer) features host Matt Bellany interviewing Eugene Hernandez, Sundance Film Festival director, about the final Sundance in Park City (January 2026), tributes to founder Robert Redford, memorable Sundance stories, and why the festival is moving to Boulder next year. The conversation covers programming highlights, festival logistics and culture, notable anecdotes from decades of coverage, changes in the indie acquisition marketplace, and recommendations for what to see this year.

Key takeaways

  • This is the last Sundance Film Festival to take place in Park City; the festival will launch a new, built-from-scratch edition in Boulder next year.
  • Sundance is emphasizing continuity of mission and programming rather than attempting to directly transplant Park City’s exact vibe: “We aren’t really moving the festival from Utah to Colorado. We’re building a festival in Colorado.”
  • The 2026 Park City edition will include multiple tributes to Robert Redford (the festival’s founder), legacy screenings, and a free community storytelling event on the final Friday framed around Redford’s phrase “Everyone has a story.”
  • Attendance interest has ticked up this year—partly due to it being the final Park City run and because the lineup is strong.
  • The industry acquisition landscape is changing: Warner Bros. is re-entering the indie buying space, Netflix remains a dominant buyer, and distribution deals are generally slower and more complex than in the festival’s earlier era.
  • Sundance evaluates success by filmmaker opportunities and long-term outcomes (labs, future projects), not just by immediate sales.

Festival highlights & programming (2026 Park City)

  • Lineup includes films from Olivia Wilde, a John Wilson documentary, a Charlie XCX feature/documentary called The Moment, a Duplass brothers film, and several other high-profile premieres.
  • Legacy/Restoration screenings are planned (examples: Little Miss Sunshine reunion; a restored House Party; Saw with James Wan in attendance).
  • Special events:
    • A gala fundraiser for the Sundance Institute honoring Chloe Zhao (with Amy Redford participating).
    • A final-Friday, free-to-the-community event of stories, photos and reflections celebrating the Park City era and Redford’s legacy.
    • Multiple legacy screenings and filmmaker reunions across the week.

Why Boulder? — rationale and expected differences

  • The decision prioritized long‑term sustainability and opportunity: Boulder offers an energized student population (CU Boulder), a tech and music community, and local enthusiasm to host the festival.
  • Sundance leadership frames the move as building a new festival rooted in the same mission established by Redford, not merely transplanting Park City’s exact culture.
  • Transition approach: Sundance will show up “thoughtfully” — working with city officials on logistics (parking, permitting, venues) and trying to integrate into the community rather than disrupt it.
  • Expect differences: The vibe, venues, and logistics will change; Sundance anticipates a five‑to‑ten year re‑casting period to establish new rituals and identity in Boulder.

Industry dynamics & marketplace notes

  • Deals are less likely to be instant, late‑night frenzy acquisitions than in the 1990s/2000s; negotiation timelines are longer and more complex now.
  • Still, a large share of Sundance films secure distribution—organizers noted nearly 70% of films from the previous year eventually sold.
  • New and returning buyers:
    • Warner Bros. is building an indie acquisition arm (staffed with people who’ve worked at Neon and other specialty labels) and could be an aggressive buyer.
    • Black Bear and other boutique distributors remain active.
    • Netflix continues to be a high-capacity buyer with deep streaming money to spend (and is often the benchmark for large deals).
  • Sundance’s success metrics: opportunities for filmmakers (labs, future projects, festival exposure) are as important as immediate sale prices.

Notable anecdotes & memories shared by Eugene Hernandez

  • 1997 “Star Maps” leak: Eugene recounts being in a media center when word spread that Searchlight had purchased Miguel Arteta’s Star Maps—an early collision of internet/new media and traditional trade announcements.
  • Fruitvale Station / Ryan Coogler: Eugene had an early, formative radio interview with Ryan Coogler before Fruitvale Station premiered—an example of a filmmaker arriving at Sundance and leaving with a career-changing moment.
  • Party stories:
    • A William Morris party that was shut down by police led to a heated, near-physical confrontation with an agent/manager over press coverage.
    • The infamous CAA Main Street party featuring a risqué burlesque performance that drew client walkouts and a memorable blurred-photo headline.
  • Celebrity sightings and political-documentary moments (Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Al Gore, Bill Gates) emphasize Sundance’s intersection of culture and civic life.

Films to watch / recommendations mentioned

  • The Invite (Olivia Wilde) — Eugene highlights this as a recommendation. Described as a two-couple, cocktail‑party‑set drama/comedy with ensemble turns and incisive relationship dynamics (Rashida Jones noted as co‑starring in the conversation).
  • The Moment (Charlie XCX) — a pop-culture/artist-centered film that piqued hosts’ interest.
  • Expect a mix of comedy and more serious fare this year; several titles are positioned as commercial/awards contenders and there are also restored cult titles on the Legacy Program.

Quotes & soundbites

  • “We aren’t really moving the festival from Utah to Colorado. We’re building a festival in Colorado.” — Eugene Hernandez
  • “Everyone has a story.” — Robert Redford (framing this year’s commemorations)

Practical notes for attendees & expectations

  • Higher attendance is expected due to the “final Park City” factor and a stacked lineup.
  • Look for Redford-focused events, legacy screenings, and more community-facing programming.
  • Industry watch: Warner Bros.’ re-entry and Netflix’s continued purchasing power could drive competitive bidding on commercial festival standouts.
  • The move to Boulder will be a multi-year re-establishment; don’t expect the exact Park City mechanics or vibe to be replicated immediately.

Bottom line

This episode balances festival nostalgia—multiple memorable Park City stories and Redford tributes—with a forward-looking rationale for relocating to Boulder. Eugene Hernandez frames the move as an opportunity to build a new chapter while carrying Sundance’s mission forward. For industry watchers and festivalgoers, the weekend promises notable premieres, legacy programming, and a changing acquisitions landscape with new buyers (including Warner Bros.) in play.