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The 2026 Sundance Film Festival, taking place from January 22 to February 1, will mark a significant and emotional chapter in its history. Not only will it be the final edition hosted in Park City, Utah, before the festival’s big move to Boulder, Colorado, in 2027, but it will also serve as a tribute to its legendary founder, Robert Redford, who passed away in 2025 at the age of 89.
A Farewell Rooted in Tribute
After more than four decades in Utah, Sundance is preparing to turn the page—with grace, emotion, and immense gratitude. At the heart of this farewell lies a major tribute to Robert Redford, the man who turned what started as a modest showcase of independent films into a defining cultural event. Festival organizers have planned several events in his honor, including a special Directors Brunch at Sundance Mountain Resort and a major celebration in Salt Lake City. The annual fundraiser, now titled “Celebrating Sundance Institute: A Tribute to Founder Robert Redford,” will also pay homage to the actor, director, and activist who shaped the DNA of independent cinema in America.
One of the festival’s featured screenings will be Downhill Racer (1969), directed by Michael Ritchie and starring Redford himself alongside Gene Hackman. This gritty sports drama was Redford’s first independent venture—significant not only for its cool, restrained aesthetic but also because it planted the seeds that would become the Sundance Institute. For Redford, this wasn’t just a movie. It was a statement about storytelling outside the Hollywood machine.
The Park City Legacy Program: A Look Back at Icons
To mark its last run in Park City, Sundance is digging into its rich archive with the Park City Legacy program. From January 27 to 30, festivalgoers will get the chance to rediscover digitally restored classics that once premiered at Sundance and helped shape contemporary cinema. To read Gwen Stefani headlines magical 2025 Disney Christmas Parade
Highlights include:
- Little Miss Sunshine (2006): A joyful rebellion of a family road trip, featuring an unforgettable cast and capped by Alan Arkin’s Oscar-winning performance. It’s one of those films that stayed with many of us—a reminder of how Sundance can reveal gold where we least expect it.
- Half Nelson (2006): This raw, human portrait of a teacher struggling with addiction introduced many to Ryan Gosling as a serious actor. I remember the way the film lingered—quietly devastating and deeply empathetic.
- House Party (1990): A burst of youth culture and comedic energy, it was a joyful celebration of Black creativity at a time when it was rarely front and center in American indie cinema.
- American Dream (1991): Barbara Kopple’s documentary about a Minnesota labor strike deserves every accolade it received—intimate, urgent, and still frighteningly relevant today.
- Mysterious Skin (2005): A haunting, necessary film. Joseph Gordon-Levitt gave what I still think is the defining performance of his early career. This isn’t easy cinema—but it’s what Sundance was made for.
- Saw (2004): Who would’ve thought a tiny Midnight section thriller would birth one of horror’s most enduring franchises? Saw premiered here when no one knew James Wan’s name. It changed the game.
- Humpday (2009): A tender and funny indie that captured what many love most about Sundance—films that feel like conversations between friends.
These films will be presented with directors and actors on site, reinforcing not only their cinematic importance but also the value of restoration and legacy.
Beyond the Screen: Conversations and Celebration
The Beyond Film series, a longtime pillar of the Sundance experience, will return with discussions that go beyond movie plots and box office stats. These events—often the most vulnerable and interesting moments during the festival—will touch on legacy, culture, and the changing face of cinema. Some of them will take place at the iconic Egyptian Theatre, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary. That building has seen a lot of stories flicker through its screen—it feels right for it to be central in Sundance’s final Park City edition.
On January 30, there will also be a public celebration dedicated to more than forty years of Sundance in Utah, as a thank-you to the local community. Exact plans are still under wraps, but the spirit of the event is clear: community, memory, and a final bow before the curtain closes.
Festival Leadership and Ticket Info
Eugene Hernandez, the newly appointed festival director, and long-time senior programmer John Nein, spoke candidly about the emotions tied to this particular edition. They weren’t simply announcing events—they were acknowledging the importance of legacy. Behind the lineup, Kim Yutani and her programming team are continuing their meticulous selection work, shaping a farewell that respects both the institution’s roots and its ever-curious heart. To read Toho expands into Europe with bold anime distribution moves
For those ready to plan their experience:
- Ticket packages (in-person and online): Available starting October 22
- Single ticket sales: Begin January 14
- Venue locations: Events and screenings will happen across Park City and Salt Lake City
The 2026 edition promises to feel like a last dance—one full of meaning, reflection, and renewed love for what independent cinema can be. As someone who has followed Sundance for years, it’s hard not to feel a pang of nostalgia. We’re not just watching films; we’re saying goodbye to a place that helped shape the last 40 years of movie magic.
