"Welcome to Sundance! The first rule of Sundance is: You do not talk about Sundance."
Big chuckle from me about the admonishment part I highlighted below (as if BVSD has such power over local citizens...)
Panthers and families!
Sundance is coming to Boulder High
We are excited to have been chosen as one of the official venues for the 2027 Sundance Film Festival.
Similar to a blockbuster movie that is in the works, many of the details regarding next year’s event are still taking shape or under wraps.
Here is what we know right now:
● Venues were announced on February 24 and the auditoriums at Casey Middle School and Boulder High School are on the list
● The Festival runs from January 21-31, 2027
● Our school will be open and operating as normal as possible during the event
This is an incredible opportunity for our schools, our students, and our community to be part of a world-renowned event. At the same time, we want to be transparent that an event of this scale will bring some challenges and inconveniences.
As we prepare, it is important to understand that there will likely be impacts before, during, and after the festival. With an expected increase in visitors in the Boulder area due to the event, we anticipate heavier traffic in the area. On our campuses, there may be restricted access to certain spaces, limited parking, and some adjustments to after-school activities, events, and athletics.
We ask for your patience and flexibility as we navigate this together. This is the first year hosting the festival in Boulder, so details are slowly emerging. We also know that festival organizers and the district will be learning a lot in coming months.
Please know that we are committed to communicating regularly. Moving forward, you can expect updates about the festival, any impacts to our schools and our plans in future newsletters.
Rolling out the red carpet: Two BVSD schools named official Sundance Film Festival venues
● There will be impacts before, during and after school. Everyone will be needed to create ways to mitigate impacts for students.
● We are committed to doing our best to plan ahead and to incorporate those impacted, as plans are solidified and impacts are determined.
Naturally, folks will ask you about the festival – and likely ask you if you can get them some tickets or provide some insight into how everything will work.
Please do:
● Refer to our school as a: 2027 Sundance Film Festival official venue. ● Lean into your excitement to be part of the 2027 Sundance Film Festival and bringing entertaining independent storytelling to audiences from around the world. The Festival has introduced some of the most impactful and iconic artists and films that have gone on to influence entertainment and culture for generations, and having that in Boulder now is truly thrilling.
Please do not:
● Speak on behalf of the Sundance Film Festival or Sundance Institute or BVSD. This includes any details around planned use of the venue, programming, films/talks, venue preparation in conjunction with the Festival, future plans, conversations with Festival staff, avoid comparisons to prior editions or venues of the Festival, don't share anything that has not been announced or led by the Festival first. A good place to check is https://festival.sundance.org/
● Answer any hypothetical questions in relation to the Festival. We are still in the planning stages together and it is fine to simply note that.