There was a fleeting moment in the early and mid-00s when being selected for the Slamdance Film Festival could mean something for a filmmaker’s career. Sure, it wasn’t the same as being part of the more prestigious and larger Park City, Utah film festival, but the edgier offshoot event gave a voice to independent films that didn’t have an industry connection or agency influence to make the Sundance cut. That influence has waned over the last few decades, and the festival has decided to make a change. After sharing Main Street with Sundance for almost 30 years, Slamdance is permanently moving to Los Angeles in 2025.
READ MORE: Sundance Film Festival Opens The door To Leaving Park City In 2027
The 2025 Slamdance Film Festival will run from February 20-26, 2025 and the event will be held in venues centered around Hollywood, at the DGA Theater complex, and the nearby Landmark Theaters in West Hollywood. Notably, the festival intended to be “financially accessible” with in-person passes starting at just $50.00 and the promise of many programs being free to the viewing public.
This fest’s new home may also allow for more partnerships that were limited in its former venue. At the moment, Panasonic LUMIX is the official sponsor with industry partners, including the DGA, Landmark Theatres, and AGBO.
In a release, Slamdance President and Founder Peter Baxer noted, “Slamdance is coming to Los Angeles! Building upon our success in Utah, we will grow the festival with greater accessibility in Los Angeles and continue our work in launching new films, new careers, and new ideas in filmmaking. With new and existing collaborators, our mission is to increase the global value of independent film and digital media and serve the Los Angeles arts community.”
Notable films to premiere at Slamdance included Greg Mottola‘s seminal ’90s indie “The Daytrippers,” the Russo brothers directorial debut “Pieces,” Christopher Nolan’s directorial debut “Following,” Oren Peli’s “Paranormal Activity,” Lynn Shelton’s “We Go Way Back,” Bong Joon Ho’s “Barking Dogs Never Bite” (it’s North American debut), and Ray McKinnon’s “The Accountant,” which won the Live Action Short Academy Award in 2002.
AGBO co-founders and filmmakers Anthony and Joe Russo added, “Our journey in the film industry began at Slamdance, and our commitment to the festival and the opportunities it offers filmmakers has remained unwavering. Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of collaborating with numerous filmmakers through our fellowship program and various initiatives at our studio. We look forward to witnessing the continued growth and impact of Slamdance in its new home.”
For LA residents, Slamdance’s new home could fill a void left by the departure of the LA Film Festival, which was last held in 2018. The only other major film festival in the “movie capital of the world” is AFI Fest which mostly centers on a few awards-centric world premieres and local screenings of acclaimed films that debuted at other fests.
Karen Bass, the Mayor of Los Angeles, remarked, “We are thrilled to announce that the Slamdance Film Festival is moving to Los Angeles and will host its first event here beginning in February 2025. To know the history and landscape of independent storytelling is to know that Los Angeles has always been a home and a source of inspiration for artists, as the creative capital of the world. As we welcome filmmakers, artists, and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, the Slamdance Film Festival will serve as a dynamic hub for creativity, connection, and job opportunities for Angelenos.”
The news of Slamdance’s move comes on the heels of the Sundance Institute announcing it has begun the process of accepting bids from contending cities to host that event beginning in 2027.
In a message to longtime members, Slamdance thanked Bass, the Russos, Emma and Christopher Nolan, Marie Jamora, and Soderbergh for their support in this endeavor.