Utah’s Sundance Film Festival Faces Uncertainty with Bill Banning Pride Flags
A new bill in Utah, House Bill 77, has passed the Legislature and awaits the governor’s signature. This bill bans the display of the Pride flag in state schools and government buildings, raising concerns about the future of the Sundance Film Festival in Park City beyond 2026. Critics argue that the bill unfairly targets LGBTQ+ representation and threatens the inclusive environment that Sundance has built over the years.
Sundance organizers are considering relocating the festival to Boulder, Colorado, or Cincinnati, Ohio, by 2027 in response to the bill. The potential departure of the festival could have a significant economic impact on Utah, as Sundance alone brings in $14 million in state and local tax revenue.
Despite concerns over the festival’s possible departure and the financial implications for the state, Republican sponsor Rep. Trevor Lee dismissed these worries. Lee stated that if someone does not want to come to Utah because the state does not display political agenda flags, they can go somewhere else. Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall expressed support for the LGBTQIA community and Sundance’s role in fostering inclusivity.
The bill comes at a time when Utah lawmakers have allocated $3.5 million in the state’s proposed 2026 budget to support Sundance. Efforts are being made to entice the festival to stay, including the potential transition from Park City to Salt Lake City in 2027. For now, the festival is still scheduled for January 2026 in Park City and Salt Lake City.
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