Sundance Film Festival executives and CU Boulder students pose for group photo outside their meeting room at the CASE building on Nov. 18, 2025. Photo by Glenn J. Asakawa/CU Boulder.
When the Sundance Film Festival makes its historic debut in Boulder in early 2027, it won’t just bring world-renowned filmmakers, artists and storytellers to Colorado—it will transform the campus into a hub of creativity and discovery, opening the door to extraordinary opportunities for CU Boulder students, faculty and staff to learn, connect and help shape one of the world’s premier celebrations of independent film.
As the official university partner of the Sundance Film Festival, CU Boulder will collaborate with the Sundance Institute to launch a year of academic, creative and experiential programming that extends far beyond the festival itself. From classrooms and theaters to behind-the-scenes experiences, the partnership will immerse the campus community in the artistry and innovation that define independent filmmaking.
Students can look forward to discounted festival screening tickets, free on-campus screenings, volunteer opportunities that provide an inside look at the festival, and a competitive internship program that offers hands-on experience with one of the world’s most influential cultural events.
“Great universities do more than simply prepare students for the future. They connect them to the people, ideas and experiences that shape it. Our partnership with the Sundance Film Festival makes those connections possible,” said CU Boulder Chancellor Justin Schwartz. “Bringing the festival to CU Boulder will transform our campus into a place where learning, creativity and cultural exchange happen side by side, while strengthening Boulder’s role as a destination for bold ideas and artistic innovation.”
Beginning this academic year and continuing through the inaugural Boulder festival, members of the CU Boulder community can look forward to a wide range of opportunities that connect classroom learning with real-world experience.
“CU Boulder and the Sundance Film Festival share values that embrace innovation, creative expression, and the universal power of storytelling,” said Eugene Hernandez, Director, Sundance Film Festival and Public Programming. “We’re excited to engage with students, faculty and staff on campus, during the festival and well beyond, as we integrate these shared values and new perspectives within the academic and cultural experience of the university.”
Here’s what’s in store.
Learning from industry leaders
Sundance Institute will participate in at least 40 academic and co-curricular events across campus through June 2027. These engagements will span colleges, schools, departments and student organizations and may include:
- Classroom visits and first-year experience courses
- Capstone projects
- Research and creative work events
- Student organization programs
- Campus symposiums and other co-curricular experiences
In addition, the Institute will work with CU Boulder to create opportunities that showcase CU students, faculty and academic programs. This includes opportunities for the recognition of university student volunteers and interns participating in festival operations, as well as opportunities for faculty, researchers and creative professionals to contribute to year-round festival educational programming.
These touchpoints will give students opportunities to engage directly with leaders in filmmaking, storytelling, arts and culture while exploring careers and creative pathways.
Attend a Volunteering 101 information session, exclusive to students. RSVP using this form.
Look for more information about CU Boulder’s role as official university partner along with academic and co-curricular events, internships, and other opportunities this fall on the CU Boulder Sundance Film Festival events webpageand in your CU Boulder Today email.
Questions? Contact Buff Info.
Experiencing the festival as a student
CU Boulder students will have affordable access to festival programming through a dedicated student ticket program. More information about ticketing will be released when it becomes available.
In addition, students will enjoy:
- At least two free on-campus film screenings during the second week of the festival
- Two panel discussions featuring festival participants and industry professionals exclusively offered to CU Boulder students.
Together, these events will bring the Sundance experience directly to campus.
Shaping the festival
Students won’t simply attend the festival—they’ll help create it.
The Sundance Institute will establish a tiered volunteer program for at least 100 CU Boulder students, providing valuable behind-the-scenes experience supporting one of the world’s premier film festivals.
In addition, at least 30 students will serve on a Student Advisory Board, providing ideas and feedback that will help shape student engagement and the festival experience on campus.
Building career-ready experience
The partnership is designed to help students translate classroom learning into meaningful professional experiences.
The Sundance Institute will work to develop a pilot internship program for at least eight CU Boulder students during the 2026–27 academic year, providing hands-on experience with a globally recognized arts organization. In addition, the institute aims to select 10 qualifying CU Boulder student journalists who apply for press credentials through the festival’s standard press accreditation application process.
The collaboration between CU Boulder and the Sundance Film Festival emphasizes the development of transferable skills—including communication, leadership, collaboration and creative problem-solving—that prepare students for future careers while fostering purpose, connection and lifelong learning.
Advancing sustainability
The partnership also creates opportunities for interdisciplinary research.
The Sundance Institute will provide information and financial support for students inCU Boulder’s Masters of the Environmentprogram to develop a framework for measuring greenhouse gas emissions associated with the festival, helping advance sustainable event practices through applied research.
