Sundance teases new theaters as Boulder fest takes shape
Sundance teases new theaters in Boulder as the festival locks in its 2027 Colorado home, with venues clustered in a roughly two-mile radius and the four main competition categories expanding from 10 to 12 films each. Industry stakeholders are already visiting for orientation ahead of the January 21–31 run.
Key Takeaways
- The 2027 Sundance Film Festival runs January 21–31 in Boulder after the move from Park City, Utah.
- Key venues include Macky Auditorium, Chautauqua Auditorium, Boulder Theater, and Cinemark Century within about two miles.
- Four central competitions grow to 12 films each; Premieres, NEXT, Midnight, and more also expand.
- At-home online screenings return January 28–31, with press and industry access starting January 27.
- Passes go on sale in October; volunteer applications open August 31, 2026.
Which Boulder theaters will host Sundance screenings?
According to Variety, festival director and head of public programming Eugene Hernandez said the new footprint keeps venues within about a two-mile radius. Named sites include the University of Colorado Boulder’s Macky Auditorium, the Chautauqua Auditorium, Boulder Theater, and the Cinemark Century multiplex.
That modern multiplex is a striking change for Sundance veterans used to makeshift public buildings and school auditoriums. Leadership’s mid-year update framed the Colorado shift as a larger ground to cover for filmmakers, agents, and festivalgoers.
How is the 2027 competition slate expanding?
Hernandez said U.S. Dramatic, World Cinema Dramatic, U.S. Documentary, and World Cinema Documentary will each grow from 10 to 12 films. Other sections, including Premieres, NEXT, Midnight, and Family Matinee, will expand as well.
New Frontier returns as New Frontier FLUX after a two-year pause focused on emerging tech and experimental work. Offscreen programming, formerly Beyond Film, will add live podcast recordings to signature talks. For the first time, FIPRESCI will jury Best Debut Narrative and Best Debut Documentary awards in the World Cinema competitions. World Cinema Grand Jury Prize winners will also automatically qualify for Oscar consideration in International Feature Film.
When does the festival run, and why are industry players already in Colorado?
World premieres are scheduled Thursday, January 21, through Tuesday, January 26, with additional showings through January 31. The annual gala is Friday, January 22; jury and audience awards are set for Friday, January 29.
To ease the Park City-to-Boulder adjustment, Sundance has been hosting industry orientations on the ground. Agents, artists, and PR teams have been shuttling to Boulder to map venues, lodging, and transit options ahead of January.
Online screenings covering five competition sections, including NEXT, run January 28–31, with professional access beginning January 27. More details on passes and packages arrive in September, with sales in October, single-film tickets in early January, and the lineup in December. For more festival and screen alerts, visit our Streaming & TV Alerts hub.