Sundance cancels in-person festival, moves virtual due to COVID-19

PARK CITY, Utah — Just days before it was scheduled to begin, The Sundance Film Festival has canceled all in-person plans because of the nationwide spike in COVID-19 cases.

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In a statement, the Sundance organizers said, “We have been looking forward to our first fully hybrid Festival. But despite the most ambitious protocols, the Omicron variant with its unexpectedly high transmissibility rates is pushing the limits of health safety across the country. We have made the difficult decision to move all in-person Utah elements online this year. Audiences will still experience the magic and energy of our Festival with bold new films, XR work, panels and an innovative globally accessible social platform.”

Sundance was scheduled to start in Park City, Utah, on Jan. 20. The original plan had been for screenings both in Park City and online, The Associated Press reported. The festival will still start on Jan. 20.

This year’s festival includes some high-profile films, including documentaries about Bill Cosby and Princess Diana, NBC News reported.

The Sundance Institute, the organizing body behind the festival, had previously announced vaccination boosters would be required, audience capacity would be limited, and no eating or drinking would be allowed in theaters, The Associated Press reported.

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