2025 Sundance Film Festival begins, boosting Utah films and businesses

PARK CITY — Hollywood made its return to Utah Thursday for the first day of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. It's expected to bring in thousands of people from all over the world, creating a big payoff for Utahns and businesses.

The festival is bringing filmmakers to Utah, along with crowds hungry for a piece of Hollywood.

"I'm surprised there's this many people out there," Jeff Barnard, co-owner of The Eating Establishment, said.

Despite Main St. being closed to cars this year in the wake of the deadly New Orleans truck attack, he said it hasn't kept anyone away. This week is already shaping up to be one of his biggest of the year.

"We probably have three crazy-busy weeks, and this is one of them," Barnard said.

It's also big for Utah filmmaker Cole Webley. His first feature film, shot here in Utah, premiered Thursday at Sundance. He's beyond excited.

"It's life-altering. I don't think anything in my career will surpass being the hometown kid and getting to come to Sundance," Webley said.

Those in charge of selecting his film, "Omaha," are happy to represent Utah to the world.

"I think it's wonderful when we can have local filmmakers who really know the festival, be part of the experience with their work," Heidi Zwicker, senior programmer at Sundance Film Festival, said.

While the future of Sundance may not always lie in Utah, this weekend the crowds and movies are all here.

Sundance officials said after the festival is over, they'll make an announcement about where it will be held in 2027. Salt Lake and Park City are still on that list.

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