PARK CITY, Utah — Louisville fell short in its bid to host one of the world's most popular film festivals. 

The Sundance Institute selected three finalists to host the Sundance Film Festival beginning in 2027. Louisville was part of a field of six potential host cities the institute revealed July 19 from more than 90 across the U.S.

The festival will continue taking place in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2025 and 2026 before transitioning to a new host city in 2027 and subsequent years. Boulder, Colorado; Cincinnati and Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah, are the three finalists. 

Atlanta and Santa Fe, New Mexico, are also out of consideration. 

“A giant thanks to the local filmmakers, film advocates, nonprofit leaders and public officials who served on the host committee and worked incredibly hard throughout this process," said Mayor Craig Greenberg, D-Louisville. "Louisville and our committee shined. It’s disappointing that we came up short this time, but we will continue to work hard, and I remain incredibly optimistic that we will bring more major events and film industry developments to our city."

"We will keep building on this momentum. Louisville greatly appreciates the time the Sundance committee spent with us. We greatly value our strengthened relationship with the Sundance Institute and look forward to exploring future opportunities to host other events in Louisville with Sundance.”

The Sundance Institute said it selected the three finalists based on factors such as infrastructure and their overall capabilities to host the event.

"We are deeply grateful to all the finalists and appreciate the partnership and ingenuity we found in the three moving forward, as well as Atlanta, Louisville and Santa Fe this summer," said Sundance Institute Board Chair Ebs Burnough. "Leaders and locals in each community generously welcomed and inspired us as we explored the potential for our festival in 2027, and beyond. On behalf of the entire Sundance Institute team, thank you."

The institute added it expects to announce the next host city in early 2025. The festival has long been a launching pad for independent filmmakers, and festival winners often become some of the year's most acclaimed films.