It's also not in Utah, the festival's longtime home, whose recent ban of Pride flags in schools and government buildings was rumored to hurt a joint bid by Salt Lake City and Park City, where Sundance started back in 1981; fest management worried the town had gotten too small for the event. The other finalist was Cincinnati, which didn't have enough star power, Variety suggested as the ten-month-long process came to an end. Meanwhile, Colorado has a governor who lives in Boulder as well as a $34 million film fest incentive package making its way through the state legislature. And Robert Redford, who founded Sundance, went to the University of Colorado back in the '50s, and still has many ties to the town.
In their comments on the Westword Facebook post of the choice, readers reviewed Colorado's cinematic coup. Says Jay:
Sundance going to Boulder? Sounds like the end of a feel-good movie! Hope the town steps up.Adds Frank:
The climate of prejudice and exclusion in Utah has become unacceptable. Go Boulder!Responds Jeannie:
I just read a post from my Utah news page. They think Boulder is a place of freedom unlike Park City, and I just laughed my ass off.Comments Lewis:
See if they can't just finish Boulder off as the once-awesome place it used to be.Responds Joe:
Reminds me of the old Yogi Berra quote, "Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded."Offers Åndrew:
Inspired from the words of David Kopel, "corporate welfare at its finest!"Counters John:
Boulder and Colorado think they will gain way more revenue than they will lose from tax credits by hosting an international event. It's called business. If they're right, they'll have a lot more money to support some causes that you may care about.And some of those causes could be other film festivals and projects, including the Denver Film Festival, which was snubbed in the New York Times story that noted Sundance "will not be the only significant film festival held in Colorado. The Telluride Film Festival has been operating over Labor Day weekend in Telluride, a mountain town in the southwest part of the state, for over 50 years." Then again, the Times also had to correct that article, noting that Boulder "is not a ski or mountain town."
No, but it's the future home of the Sundance Film Festival. What do you think of the move? Post a comment or share your thoughts at [email protected].
