Salt Lake City, UT, October 11, 2026 — Park City, Utah – City officials and local arts advocates are set to launch the inaugural “Park City Film Festival” following the announcement that the Sundance Film Festival will depart Utah after its 2026 iteration. The new festival aims to fill the void by providing a platform for independent storytelling and filmmakers.

The first-ever Park City Film Festival is scheduled to take place from October 23 to October 25. The event will be held at the Santy Auditorium, a central venue in the city.

Organizers stated the festival’s primary objective is to celebrate independent cinema and provide a dedicated space for filmmakers to showcase their work. The initiative comes as a direct response to the Sundance Film Festival’s decision to relocate its operations, leaving a significant gap in the region’s cultural calendar. While specific details regarding programming, film submissions, and participating filmmakers for the inaugural event were not immediately available, the festival’s mission is clearly defined.

The departure of the Sundance Film Festival, a renowned institution that has been hosted in Utah for decades, marks a notable shift for the state’s film industry and cultural landscape. The establishment of the Park City Film Festival signifies a local effort to maintain and grow an independent film presence within the community. Further details about the festival’s scope and ambitions are expected to be released as the launch date approaches.

The Santy Auditorium, selected as the venue, has a history of hosting significant cultural events in Park City, making it a fitting location for the new festival’s debut.


Story summarized from the original created by Lee Benson on www.deseret.com, see more information here.

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