THE CITY OF SAVANNAH.. COULD BECOME THE NEW HOME OF THE SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL. THIS COMES AFTER THE SUNDANCE INSTITUTE ANNOUNCED - ITS CONSIDERING MOVING THE FESTIVAL TO ANOTHER LOCATION. WE SPOKE TO CITY LEADERS AND A LOCAL FILM EXPERT... ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY. THE SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL - WHICH HAS TAKEN PLACE IN PARK CITY, UTAH - FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS - COULD BE RELOCATING TO SAVANNAH. 1:23 THINGS ARE RAPIDLY DEVELOPING. 1:25 THE SUNDANCE INSTITUTE RECENTLY ANNOUNCED - ITS CONSIDERING MOVING THE FESTIVAL IN 2027. RIGHT NOW - THE INSTITUTE IS HOLDING A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION PERIOD. IT ENDS THIS WEDNESDAY. WE REACHED OUT TO THE SAVANNAH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. CEO TRIP TOLLISON TELLING US IN A STATEMENT QUOTE - "WE ARE INTERESTED AND ARE INQUIRING FOR MORE INFORMATION." 5:02 "IT'S NOT THE ACTUAL FORMAL BID." 5:13 THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE THOSE AND NARROW DOWN WHICH CITIES THEY ARE THEN GOING TO ASK FOR ACTUAL BIDS FROM. 5:2 "BO" BOWEN - FOUNDER OF THE SAVANNAH FILM ALLIANCE FEELS - SAVANNAH WOULD BE THE PERFECT LOCATION FOR PRESTIGIOUS FESTIVAL. 7:16 YOU KNOW, IT'S AN INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL. THAT'S PART OF THE CHARM, IS HAVING IT IN A PLACE THAT'S NOT SO CORPORATE. 7:23 AND THAT'S WHY I THINK SAVANNAH WOULD BE PERFECT. 7:26 HE SAYS - IF THE FESTIVAL WERE TO MOVE HERE...THE EFFECT ON THE HOSTESS CITY - WOULD BE PALPABLE. 2:26 YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A FESTIVAL THAT DRAWS WELL OVER 100,000 PEOPLE EACH YEAR. YOU'D HAVE A TREMENDOUS ECONOMIC IMPACT. 2:34 ULTIMATEY - BOWEN SAYS THIS IS STILL ALL IN THE VERY EARLY STAGES... RIGHT NOW...ITS JUST A WAITING GAME. 5:40 THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS IT MAY STAY IN PARK CITY. THEY HAVEN'T ANNOUNCED F
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$2 million plan could bring Sundance Film Festival, and its 100,000 visitors, to Georgia
The Peach State is trying to snag a crown jewel of cinema from Utah.
Digital Media Manager
Above file video: Could Sundance be coming to Savannah? Longtime film festival considering new homeGeorgia is trying to snag a crown jewel of cinema from Utah.The Sundance Film Festival's contract is set to expire in 2026. It attracts more than 100,000 visitors to Salt Lake City, Park City and a resort near Provo.Atlanta has submitted a bid to host the festival, placing a $2 million budget behind the effort.Sundance historically takes place in January.Atlanta is known for mild winter weather, which the occasional ice storm that can bring the city to a half that time of year.That's a far cry from the luxurious ski resorts of Utah.But Atlanta has a strong history of luring massive events. It was considered an underdog to host the 1996 Olympics, but won that bid. With the world's busiest airport and its growing leadership in film and TV production, supporters believe they have a legitimate shot. Officials in Savannah previously told WJCL they were potentially interested in making a bid to host the event. The following statement was sent to WJCL on Tuesday by Trip Tollison, president and CEO of the Savannah Economic Development Authority."Savannah is the perfect backdrop to large scale events like the Sundance Film Festival. Not only do we host more than 17 million visitors each year, but the city also comes together to execute two already existing large scale annual events – the Savannah Music Festival and the country’s third largest St. Patrick’s Day parade. Savannah offers a vibrant and supportive community that fosters creativity and innovation, making it the perfect home for Sundance Film Festival in 2027 and beyond. We thank the organization for considering Savannah as their future potential host city."TRENDING STORIESPolice Chiefs talk to Savannah Chapter of NAACP about crimeVery hot weather this week for Coastal Georgia and LowcountryCity of Tybee Island issues warning after venomous Portuguese Man O' War spotted on the beach
ATLANTA —
Above file video: Could Sundance be coming to Savannah? Longtime film festival considering new home
Georgia is trying to snag a crown jewel of cinema from Utah.
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The Sundance Film Festival's contract is set to expire in 2026.
It attracts more than 100,000 visitors to Salt Lake City, Park City and a resort near Provo.
Atlanta has submitted a bid to host the festival, placing a $2 million budget behind the effort.
Sundance historically takes place in January.
Atlanta is known for mild winter weather, which the occasional ice storm that can bring the city to a half that time of year.
That's a far cry from the luxurious ski resorts of Utah.
But Atlanta has a strong history of luring massive events. It was considered an underdog to host the 1996 Olympics, but won that bid.
With the world's busiest airport and its growing leadership in film and TV production, supporters believe they have a legitimate shot.
Officials in Savannah previously told WJCL they were potentially interested in making a bid to host the event.
The following statement was sent to WJCL on Tuesday by Trip Tollison, president and CEO of the Savannah Economic Development Authority.
"Savannah is the perfect backdrop to large scale events like the Sundance Film Festival. Not only do we host more than 17 million visitors each year, but the city also comes together to execute two already existing large scale annual events – the Savannah Music Festival and the country’s third largest St. Patrick’s Day parade. Savannah offers a vibrant and supportive community that fosters creativity and innovation, making it the perfect home for Sundance Film Festival in 2027 and beyond. We thank the organization for considering Savannah as their future potential host city."
TRENDING STORIES
- Police Chiefs talk to Savannah Chapter of NAACP about crime
- Very hot weather this week for Coastal Georgia and Lowcountry
- City of Tybee Island issues warning after venomous Portuguese Man O' War spotted on the beach
