Sundance 2025 will continue as planned: “It is important to move forward”

The show must go on.

The organizers of the Sundance Dinner Festival confirm that plans for the 2025 edition will be executed as planned in Park City, Utah.

The news that the annual indie festival will continue comes after days in which we have seen a wave of cancellations of film and television industry events in the wake of the devastating fires in Los Angeles, California, including delays in the nomination announcements for the Producers Guild and Writers Guild awards, the Oscar nominees, the cancellations of the AFI Awards, the BAFTA tea party, and multiple premieres such as The Last Showgirl by Gia Coppola and Better Man by Michael Gracey, as well as the pause in filming of television series such as Grey’s Anatomy, Hacksy Suits LAamong others.

The festival of Sundance 2025 is scheduled to kick off in Park City, Utah, on January 23.

Sundance executive director Amanda Kelso and festival director Eugene Hernández wrote in a statement (via official site):

“Dear Sundance Community,

“Today we are reaching out to you to inform you of the devastating wildfires raging in the Los Angeles area. First and foremost, our hearts go out to all members of our Sundance Institute community and to all those affected by the unfolding tragedy. Know that you are not alone right now; Our thoughts are with you in Southern California and beyond.

“Over the last few days, we have had many conversations with artists, volunteers, the industry/press, trustees, donors, partners and staff. The losses we are witnessing and that many are experiencing are difficult to understand and deeply emotional. However, as we continue to plan for the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, which takes place in just 10 days, we are moved by resilience in the midst of devastating loss.

“Our community has a history of coming together when passion and perseverance are needed most, drawing strength from the deep bonds that make us so resilient. Right now, we may be mourning, but we also know that it is important to move forward.

“Sundance exists to discover artists, celebrate their work and support storytelling that connects people through the power of film, and we know that coming together as a community can be healing and catalytic.”