The Sundance Film Festival may still be months away. But the festival is already expanding its presence in Colorado.
This summer, Sundance is collaborating with an array of community events and festivals across the Front Range. These new partnerships provide Colorado audiences with early opportunities to connect with the festival’s legacy of independent storytelling through film, music, and poetry.
“As we continue building the foundation for the Sundance Film Festival in Colorado, our ongoing events share the spirit and history of Sundance with local audiences,” says Eugene Hernandez, director of the Sundance Film Festival and head of public programming. “Celebrating films like ‘Little Miss Sunshine,’ which first premiered at the Festival in 2006, reflects the kind of storytelling we’ve always championed. We’re excited to work with local partners and Colorado audiences to bring that experience to life in new ways.”
READ MORE: Boulder Sundance Hotels: Where to Stay for the Sundance Film Festival
Sundance’s summer programming kicked off during the Boulder Creek Festival last weekend, with a screening of “Napoleon Dynamite.” The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2004.
Looking ahead, the festival will offer additional film screenings in Denver and Morrison, in partnership with organizations like Denver Film, Biennial of the Americas, MATTER and MCA Denver.
Organized by the nonprofit Sundance Institute, the Sundance Film Festival is relocating to Colorado after more than 40 years in Park City, Utah. In February, the festival announced the official dates of its inaugural Boulder event, January 21-31, 2027.
“Boulder offers a renowned creative arts and tech scene, paired with the vibrant CU Boulder students, faculty and staff,” says Hernandez.
So far, officials haven’t shared many specific details about the 2027 line-up. But the festival is expected to feature a range of world premieres, conversations, special events and other gatherings that align with the event’s mission of championing original voices, forging meaningful connections and entertaining audiences from around the world.
“Working closely with the Colorado community, the 2027 Sundance Film Festival is already in our sights as we build towards an exciting debut in Boulder where our programming will meet audiences next January,” says Hernandez.
Moving forward, the Boulder International Film Festival (BIFF), which usually takes place in March, is being held roughly a month later than usual to accommodate the arrival of Sundance. This year, for instance, BIFF took place April 9-12.
Sundance programming will take place at a variety of venues around Boulder, including the Boedecker Theater and Gordon Gamm Theater at the Dairy Arts Center, the Boulder High School Auditorium, the Boulder Theater, the Casey Middle School Auditorium and Chautauqua Auditorium. Events will also be held at Cinemark Century Boulder, eTown Hall and the Canyon Theater at the Boulder Public Library.
“Venues across the city and CU Boulder’s campus provide an ideal setting for festivalgoers from across the world to come together, revel in art, spark conversation and create unforgettable memories,” says Hernandez.
Several University of Colorado Boulder venues will also host the festival, including Macky Auditorium, Muenzinger Auditorium, Old Main and the recently renovated Roe Green Theatre.
“We’re excited to show off our beautiful campus to the world,” says Justin Schwartz, chancellor of CU Boulder. “It is another opportunity for everyone across the country and around the globe to see how amazing CU Boulder is. But I’m also excited to see how our students, who are so creative, leverage the opportunity in ways that I can’t even imagine.”
Sundance Summer Programming in Colorado
If you’re excited about Sundance coming to Boulder in 2027, here are some upcoming events to add to your calendar.
BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions
Screening of the 2025 SFF alumni feature
In partnership with Biennial of the Americas, MATTER and MCA Denver
Friday, May 29, 2026
Holiday Theater | Denver, CO
Social: 5:30 p.m. | Film Start: 7:00 p.m.
Outside Days: The Best Summer
Screening of 2026 SFF alumni feature
Sunday, May 31, 2026
Auraria Campus King Center | Denver, CO
Film Start: 2:00 p.m.
Sundance Film Festival Presents: Andrea Gibson: Love Letter from the Afterlife
Featuring the Colorado Symphony, Megan Falley, and special guests Sara Bareilles and Chris Pureka
In association with AEG
Sunday, July 5, 2026
Red Rocks Amphitheatre | Morrison, CO
Doors: 6:30 p.m. | Event Start: 7:30 p.m.
Film on the Rocks: Little Miss Sunshine
Screening of 2006 SFF alumni feature
In partnership with Denver Film
Monday, July 13, 2026
Red Rocks Amphitheatre | Morrison, CO
Doors: 6:30 p.m. | Pre-show: 7:00 p.m. | Film: 8:30 p.m.
