Sundance Film Festival’s Colorado Roll-out: From Fort Collins Preview to Boulder’s First Full-Scale Event

The Sundance Institute announced that the independent-film festival will relocate from Park City, Utah, to Boulder, Colorado, with its inaugural Boulder edition slated for January 21–31, 2027. After 45 years in Utah, the move follows a 2024 bidding process that selected Boulder over Cincinnati, Ohio. The shift will add new venues, volunteer opportunities, and university collaborations.

So you want to volunteer at Sundance. Here's what you should know.

Sundance will present an outdoor screening of “The Weight,” a drama-thriller that premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. The event takes place at The Lyric’s outdoor screen in Fort Collins on August 31. Director Padraic McKinley and actor Julia Jones will attend for an extended introduction. Tickets range from $8 to $12 and are sold through The Lyric. The screening precedes the film’s theatrical release on September 18.

Sundance, ACT film festival bringing advance screening of ‘The Weight’ to The Lyric Aug. 31

Sundance is recruiting more than 2,000 volunteers to staff the Boulder festival. Applications open on August 31, with virtual information sessions on September 2, 9, and 16.

So you want to volunteer at Sundance. Here's what you should know.

• “We had 21 countries represented in last year’s volunteer pool,” — Brian Marquez, senior volunteer manager.

So you want to volunteer at Sundance. Here's what you should know.

• “If you’re working the festival full-time, or traveling from out of state, that makes you more likely to receive housing accommodations,” — Marquez.

So you want to volunteer at Sundance. Here's what you should know.

Volunteers receive exclusive screenings, meal vouchers, and festival swag. Housing will be coordinated through a “Volunteer Village” in Longmont, though “We can’t promise housing to anyone who lives in the Boulder or Denver area,” Marquez noted.

So you want to volunteer at Sundance. Here's what you should know.

The Sundance Institute signed a multi-year agreement with CU Boulder, granting students discounted tickets, free on-campus screenings, and priority for volunteer roles. The partnership creates a pilot internship program for at least eight students and provides press credentials for ten student journalists.

Daily Camera

Eugene Hernandez, director of Sundance Festival and Public Programming, said the collaboration reflects shared values of innovation and storytelling.

Denver Post

• Festival dates: January 21–31 2027 (Boulder)

So you want to volunteer at Sundance. Here's what you should know.

• Fort Collins preview: August 31 2026 (outdoor screening)

Sundance, ACT film festival bringing advance screening of ‘The Weight’ to The Lyric Aug. 31

• The Weight theatrical release: September 18 2026

So you want to volunteer at Sundance. Here's what you should know.

• Volunteer positions: >2,000 across media relations, ushering, venue operations

So you want to volunteer at Sundance. Here's what you should know.

• Volunteer pool diversity: 21 countries represented in the prior year

So you want to volunteer at Sundance. Here's what you should know.

• Ticket price for preview: $8–$12

Denver Post

• ACT Human Rights Film Festival: April 1–4 2027 (12th annual event)

Sundance Film Festival Brings ‘The Weight’ to Fort Collins

Sundance officials emphasized that the Boulder move aims to broaden the festival’s economic and cultural impact in Colorado, building on the $196 million revenue generated in Park City last year. University representatives highlighted the educational benefits for students, noting that the partnership will extend beyond the ten-day festival into a year-long program of classes, research projects, and community-engagement events.

Daily Camera

• Volunteer applications: open August 31; information sessions on September 2, 9, 16.

So you want to volunteer at Sundance. Here's what you should know.

• Fort Collins preview: August 31 screening of “The Weight.”

Sundance Film Festival Brings ‘The Weight’ to Fort Collins

• Boulder festival: January 21–31 2027, with venues across a two-square-mile central area.

So you want to volunteer at Sundance. Here's what you should know.

• ACT Human Rights Film Festival: April 1–4 2027 in Fort Collins.

Sundance, ACT film festival bringing advance screening of ‘The Weight’ to The Lyric Aug. 31