Films Are A Core Part of Utah’s Identity

Utah is known for a number of things—the Southern Utah cliffs, the world famous powder snow, the friendly communities, and an astounding number of national parks and monuments. That’s not all, however. Utah has long had a connection with the arts, and is continuously fostering new talent and creativity.

Any film buff or movie lover will of course be aware of Sundance, one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world, which takes place in the mountain oasis of Park City. The Sundance Film festival was founded in 1978 by Academy Award winner Robert Redford. The goal was to highlight American-made films, and provide a place for independent cinema to have its chance in the limelight. From its inception, it’s been a hub for brilliant talent, boundary pushing cinema, and—for the locals—a place to run into some of the world’s biggest Hollywood stars.

Photo by Chris Murray via unsplash.com.

Sundance is the Place to Be

Sundance takes place at the beginning of every year, and in 2025 will run from January 23 through to February 2, 2025. During this time, Park City fully commits to the experience, with filmmakers, podcasters, actors, and creatives from all walks of life coming together to appreciate the arts and make connections. It’s a great place to get inspiration and find collaborators for your own future projects. In short, it’s a networking extravaganza on the backdrop of bustling home-owned restaurants, curated galleries, snowy peaks, and street trolleys.
Tickets to Sundance are set to become available very soon, and as you can imagine, in high demand. Keep an eye on your calendars and their mailing list for a chance to attend.

For anyone itching to fully commit to the experience and become part of the Sundance family, here’s a little locally known secret: the Sundance Festival brings in a select number of volunteers every year. Volunteering has routinely given those helping out free jackets, free merch, and free tickets to the films, so it’s a fantastic way to save money and get involved. Applications are already open!

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But There Are Other Options…

If edgy, era-defining film isn’t so much your thing, Utah has another very exciting festival which has been gaining ground in recent years. Taking place in Provo, Utah, FilmQuest is a horror, fantasy, action, and Sci-Fi festival which is celebrating its 11th year running. Highly ranked by MovieMaker Magazine as “one of the 25 best film festivals in the world,” it promises to be a genre festival like no other. And while it doesn’t seem to offer volunteering, it’s more pocketbook friendly, with tickets starting at $15.

This year, FilmQuest is taking place from October 24 to November 2, 2024, with tickets available now at filmquestfest.com. And while Provo might not offer the celebrity spotting that Park City has, it still provides access to incredible mountain views.
Only minutes away, Provo Canyon is the gateway to Bridal Veil Falls, Deer Creek Reservoir, and Heber Valley. The drive parallels the Provo River, and for those looking for a quick scenic drive, you can take the Alpine Loop, which bursts into color towards the end of September and through October.

Photo by Jakob Owens via unsplash.com.

Nature + The Arts = Utah

With such inspiring nature available nearly everywhere in the state, it’s hardly a surprise it’s become a center for such creativity and expression. And if you’re planning a trip to our very own Lodge at Red River Ranch, we hope you expand your adventure to take in as much of the beauty and art that exists in our home state.
So whether you’re coming to Utah for the peaks, the slopes, the parks, or the fests, we promise there’s something for you—come spring, fall, snow, or shine.