The University of Colorado Boulder campus is experiencing an unprecedented wave of excitement as students prepare for a landmark cultural shift coming to their city. With the iconic Sundance Film Festival announcing its relocation from Utah to Boulder next year, a pioneering new academic course is equipping cinema studies students with the practical skills and insider knowledge needed to understand and eventually work at major film festivals.
Associate Professor Kelly Sears, who teaches in the Cinema Studies and Moving Image Arts department at CU Boulder, immediately recognized the extraordinary educational opportunity this move presented. She rapidly developed a specialized curriculum focused on the intricate mechanics of film festival production, and student response has been overwhelming. "I knew there's a lot of interest in film festivals, but maybe not a lot of understanding about how they function," Sears explained. The course filled to capacity almost immediately, with a substantial waiting list forming as students clamored to gain insider access to the festival world.
The timing proves remarkably fortuitous. As Sundance kicks off its final year in Utah this week, Boulder students are immersed in intensive study, preparing for when one of the film industry's most important gatherings arrives in their backyard. Sears brings valuable personal experience to the classroom, having attended Sundance numerous times throughout her career. During these visits, she frequently encountered colleagues from other universities who had brought student groups to experience the festival. "I've always thought, 'I wish I could bring CU students to Sundance,'" she reflected. That long-held aspiration is now becoming reality.
The curriculum extends far beyond a narrow focus on Sundance. Students are exploring the global festival ecosystem, examining events from Cannes to Toronto to SXSW to understand diverse models of programming curation, financial structures, and community engagement strategies. The course features an impressive roster of industry professionals as guest lecturers, including representatives from the Denver Film Festival, the Boulder International Film Festival, and Sundance itself. This direct access to practitioners provides real-world perspectives that textbooks cannot offer.
A hands-on approach defines the learning experience. As a culminating project, students must conceptualize and design their own film festivals. This comprehensive assignment requires them to think through every aspect of festival organization: programming philosophy, venue selection, budget development, audience building, marketing strategies, and community outreach. They are encouraged to incorporate innovative elements such as workshops, panel discussions, and special events that reflect their unique vision.
The student cohort represents diverse backgrounds and aspirations. Some are exploring cinema for the first time, while others are emerging filmmakers learning to navigate the business side of their craft. Senior students Caroline Locke and Annaluna Grandt, for instance, are gaining crucial knowledge about submitting their own films to festivals and building sustainable careers.
"I'm very much more creative, centered and driven," Grandt shared. "So having someone really give you the tools [for], unfortunately or fortunately, the business practices that you need to know to be successful, it's really important." This sentiment resonates with many young artists who excel at creation but need guidance on the commercial and logistical aspects that determine whether their work reaches audiences.
The practical knowledge extends to understanding submission processes, networking strategies, funding mechanisms, and audience development. These essential business skills often make the difference between a film finding its audience and disappearing into obscurity. Students learn about the intricate relationships between filmmakers, distributors, and exhibitors while developing competencies in project management and cultural programming.
The arrival of Sundance in Boulder represents more than a cultural event; it's a potential catalyst for the regional film ecosystem. Students anticipate unprecedented opportunities for internships, volunteer positions, and professional networking. The university's proximity to the festival could open doors previously closed due to geography.
"I'm hoping that, with the university being here, it'll really open those doors for students to go to those places," Grandt expressed, reflecting widespread optimism. The symbiotic relationship between a major research university and a world-renowned festival could establish Boulder as a significant new hub for independent cinema.
The implications extend beyond campus. Local businesses, venues, and cultural organizations are preparing for the influx of filmmakers and industry professionals. The festival's presence could boost the local economy while elevating Boulder's status on the national cultural map.
For these students, this represents a once-in-a-lifetime educational opportunity. They are preparing to be active participants in a major cultural event, developing transferable skills in project management, community engagement, and entrepreneurial thinking. As Sundance's final Utah edition unfolds, Boulder students watch with heightened interest, knowing next year they'll witness the festival they've studied come to life in their community.
The course exemplifies how universities can respond to cultural shifts, creating timely curricula that connect academic learning with professional opportunities. When Sundance arrives in Boulder, these students won't just be audience members—they'll be prepared contributors, ready to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world festival operations. Their front-row seat to this cultural institution's next chapter will provide invaluable experience as they launch their own careers in cinema.