The inaugural Park City Film Festival is scheduled to take place from Oct. 23-25, 2026, bringing a curated selection of independent cinema back to Park City. The event arrives as the Sundance Film Festival prepares for its permanent relocation from Utah to Boulder, Colorado, in early 2027.
A New Cinematic Chapter
The three-day festival will feature 10 films from the 2026 festival circuit, including titles that previously premiered at major events such as Sundance, SXSW, Tribca, or Mountainfilm. Screenings will be held at the Jim Santy Auditorium, a venue formerly known as The Library Theatre during the Sundance Film Festival for 30 years. According to Park City Film, the theater has previously hosted premieres for films such as "Meru," "Get Out," and "Boyhood."
Community and Connection
Katharine Wang, the Executive Director of Park City Film, said the festival aims to create a community-forward event that encourages neighbors and visitors to connect over film. Wang, who has lived in Park City since 2006, noted that the programming is designed to tap into the community's zeitgeist and curiosity.
"The best films don't spoon-feed the story. They create tension and room for connection," Wang said, comparing the experience to a book club where a shared platform for dialogue is created through collective attention. The festival will also feature four panel discussions hosted by Distrikt F at 1205 Iron Horse Drive.
Festival Programming
The festival's opening night will feature the directorial debut of JJ Gerber, whose film "The Life We Leave" will be screened on Friday, Oct. 23. Gerber, a Park City native and University of Utah film graduate, was inspired to pursue his craft by the Sundance Film Festival, according to Park City Film.
Other scheduled screenings include "Zejtune," directed by Alex Camilleri, on Saturday, Oct. 24, and "Next Life," directed by Drake Doremus, on Sunday, Oct. 25. The schedule also includes panels on topics such as "Death, Grieving, and How We Care for One Another" and "Holding Space for Trans Stories."
The Sundance Transition
The launch of the Park City Film Festival serves as a response to the upcoming departure of the Sundance Film Festival. While Sundance has been a fixture in Park City for over 40 years, the Sundance Institute announced it will move the festival to Boulder, Colorado, in 2027 to collaborate with the existing art scene in that region.
Sundance Film Festival Director Eugene Hernandez said the move is not about leaving Utah, but about starting a new festival in Colorado where the organization can concentrate its footprint differently. Sundance Institute Managing Director Paula Dupré Pesmen added that the new Colorado location is designed to be more walkable and authentic to the festival's experience. To increase accessibility, the Institute plans to offer student-priced tickets for the 2027 event.
Year-Round Programming
Park City Film, a nonprofit art house cinema and the state's only nonprofit of its kind, has already established a presence in the region through various programming series. In 2026, the organization launched two successful summer series: "America the Beautiful," which focused on LGBTQ experiences and Japanese American internment, and "Midnight in Park City," which focused on the thriller and horror genres.
Both series are scheduled to return in 2027, alongside a commitment to provide weekly film programming throughout the year. The organization's signature weekend program, the Park City Film Series at the Santy, typically runs from early September to mid-June and includes independent, foreign, and documentary films.
Event Logistics
The Park City Film Festival will offer single film or panel tickets for $20.00 each. For those attending screenings at the Jim Santy Auditorium, parking is available in the Park City Library and Mawhinney lots, with overflow parking available at the Park City Mountain Resort.
As the city transitions from its history as a primary Sundance hub, Park City Film officials stated their goal is to cultivate joy and connection through high-caliber art that reflects the character and values of the local community.
Diverse Film Lineup
The festival's lineup includes a diverse array of titles, such as "Teeth to the Wind," directed by Drew Smith and Ben Knight, and "The Boys and the Bees," directed by Arielle Knight. Other featured films include "Adam's Apple," directed by Amy Jenkins, and "Brian," directed by Will Ropp. On Sunday, Oct. 25, the program includes "The Gymnasts of Fisherman Colony," directed by Habiba Nosheen, and "Frank & Louis," directed by Petra Volpe.
