The Sundance Film Festival will not have a face-to-face event this year. diversity reports, Sundance has chosen to work completely virtual.
After the postponement of the Grammy Awards in 2022, the festival is the most recent event that can be assigned to the omicron variant of COVID-19. The festival took place January 20-30 in Park City, Utah.
“Despite the most ambitious protocols, the Omicron variant, with its unexpectedly high transfer rates, pushes the boundaries of health security, travel and other infrastructures across the country,” Sundance organizers said in a statement to Variety. “The personal Utah elements of the festival will go online this year. While we are disappointed that we cannot deliver the full hybrid experience as intended and meet in person as intended, the audience will still experience the magic and energy of our festival this year. “
The Sundance Institute added, “As a nonprofit, our Sundance spirit is to do something against the odds. But since the number of cases in our host community is expected to peak during the week of the festival, we cannot knowingly put our staff or our community at risk. The undue stress on Summit County’s health services and our 1,500+ staff and volunteers would be irresponsible in this climate. “