Kentucky could benefit from Cincinnati being a Sundance finalist

CINCINNATI — While Louisville was not named one of the three finalists to be the new home for the Sundance Film Festival, Cincinnati is on the short list.

The massive economic and cultural impact of hosting the iconic festival for a decade could certainly spill into Kentucky from its neighboring state. The head of the organization spearheading efforts to land Sundance in Cincinnati says it would be an absolute game changer for the region.

Kristen Schlotman, President and CEO of Film Cincinnati, said she’s dedicated her career to making an impact in the city she loves. 

She now has a great chance to make a huge one, with the nonprofit leading the charge to bring Sundance to Cincinnati.

“It would be a ten-year contract with the Sundance Institute to be a new host city. So you’re talking 11 days. Imagine having the Super Bowl. This is 11 days of the Super Bowl for 10 years in a row.” 

Film Cincinnati’s mission is to attract film production to the area, because of the jobs and economic impact it creates in the community.

With recent strikes in the film industry, Schlotman said production has been slow. So Film Cincinnati has been trying to get creative to help boost the economy, thus its interest in pursuing Sundance.

The festival generated just over $118 million last year in the state of Utah. Just imagining what that could do for Greater Cincinnati, including northern Kentucky, gets Schlotman excited.

“I look at us as a city that’s bigger, that has room for the festival to grow, and I think that impact can also grow,” she said. “We believe if it’s good for the region, it’s good for all of us. And we have incredible partners in Kentucky.”

She also believes it would be a major win for the local filmmaking industry.

“It’s not just attracting and retaining talent, but it’s building enthusiasts and audience engagement. And I think the more you can create that ecosystem, with all of those tracks contributing to it, you really are transforming a city and its legacy,” Schlotman said. “The rising tide raises all boats. And if it’s giving local filmmakers access to these industry professionals that they might not otherwise have access to, I think that does a lot for their potential filmmaking capabilities.”

She said Cincinnati offers what would be the most accessible Sundance with the most diverse audience the festival has ever seen.

But the work isn’t done yet, so she and others will continue to make the case.

The other two finalists are a combination of Park City, Utah and Salt Lake City, Utah, and Boulder, Colorado.

A final decision is expected in early 2025.