Powering Sundance

Lights, camera, action! The 2027 Sundance Film Festival is coming to Boulder to begin a new chapter for the largest independent annual film festival in the United States, showcasing groundbreaking work and emerging talent in independent cinema. The Festival was established by actor and filmmaker Robert Redford in 1978 and has been historically held across Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah. Now it’s moving to Boulder to build on more than four decades of serving as a launching pad for independent films to reach critical acclaim and global distribution. 

To power the event, they need volunteers, and lots of them. According to Brian Marquez, senior manager of talent, the Festival typically recruits 1,500 volunteers in Utah but is expected to need 2,000 for Boulder. That’s a lot of opportunity for film lovers, film students, filmmakers, and everyday people to contribute.

“Our volunteer program brings passionate individuals from all over the world together under a singular, shared goal of supporting independent artists and connecting audiences to their stories,” Brian says.

Volunteers come from different professions and backgrounds. While resumes and film knowledge are not required, volunteers must be at least 18 years old and complete a detailed application process. Specific requirements, such as driver’s licenses, are sometimes needed for certain roles.

Alice Boyle, a Boulder resident and sign language interpreter, flew to Park City to volunteer at the 2026 Festival. She says she has fond memories of the experience. “I love films, and I thought this was the perfect opportunity to get involved and learn about Sundance and make some connections with them before they came to Boulder. The team of volunteers was incredible. I really enjoyed working with them. I met some wonderful people.” 

Brian says many volunteers return year after year, and it’s become like a family reunion where new members are welcomed each year, and regulars reconnect to support the mission. He cautions that if people are looking to volunteer with the intention of passing a screenplay or schmoozing for a job with someone important, Sundance does enforce a strict no-networking policy to create a safe and supportive environment for artists presenting their work to audiences.

There are, however, other perks to volunteering, such as film access vouchers, exclusive screenings, volunteer parties, and community-building opportunities.

Sundance Film Festival offers various volunteer roles, including theater support, press lines, artist relations, warehouse assistance, and driving duties. Shifts generally run six to eight hours, depending on the specific area you are assigned to. Time commitments offered include:

• Full-Time: The highest tier. These volunteers contribute about 80 hours over the course of The Festival, typically working daily shifts to provide vital stability across the various venues and teams.

• Part-Time Assigned: For those who want a structured experience but can’t commit to the full duration. This role usually takes place during the first week of The Festival, requiring a rigid schedule of about 40 hours tied directly to premieres and major events.

• Sign-Up: The most popular option. Requires a minimum of 24 hours of service. Volunteers are assigned to a specific venue and given full visibility into that venue’s schedule, so they can pick up shifts that work best for them—a good choice for local residents.

• Student: Designed specifically for actively enrolled students, featuring an 18-hour minimum commitment. Similar to the Sign-Up tier, students can review the schedule and self-select the shifts that fit around
their classes.

If you’re nervous about being a first-time volunteer, don’t worry. Newcomers are welcome and will be paired with a coordinator throughout the process. Tasks could include press line support, artist relations, warehouse assistance, driving photographers, operating hub spaces, and theater team positions handling load-in, crowd management, ticket scanning, and Q&A sessions. The largest volunteer need is typically in theater operations.

While some roles may require standing for long periods or lifting heavy objects, Brian says there are roles available for people with different skill sets, interests, and abilities. The team also conducts exit surveys and maintains ongoing communication with volunteers throughout the Festival to gather feedback and improve future events.

Brian says the shared mission of supporting independent storytelling is what drives people to volunteer, but it’s the teamwork and friendships made that make it special. “I truly cannot overstate the magic of the community-building that happens here,” he says. “I am continuously amazed by how much collective hard work it takes to bring the Sundance Film Festival to life, and how incredibly generous people are with their time and support. Every single individual walks away with their own incredible story from the experience, and our volunteers are absolutely foundational to making that happen.”

The volunteer application process opens on August 31 at sundance.org/volunteer