Senator Reverend Warnock Urges Sundance Institute to Make Georgia Next Home for Iconic Film Festival

In a letter to the Sundance Institute, Senator Reverend Warnock urged for the full consideration of Georgia as the next host state of the iconic film festival

Senator Reverend Warnock is committed to bolstering the thriving arts and entertainment scene in Georgia

Georgia's TV and film industry is responsible for more than 60,000 jobs

Senator Reverend Warnock is throwing his support equally behind the bids of ATHENS, ATLANTA, and SAVANNAH to host the Sundance Film Festival

Dubbed the "Hollywood of the South", Georgia is uniquely positioned to accommodate the large gathering

Senator Reverend Warnock: "Georgia is a modern-day epicenter for visual storytelling. Our scenic landscapes, diverse cities, and warm and welcoming people have provided the backdrop for countless films and television series, captivating audiences around the world and bringing stories to life"

Senator Reverend Warnock: "The arc of Georgia's history and its evolution into an entertainment, economic, and cultural powerhouse beckons a renowned event like the Sundance Film Festival to make our great state its new home"

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Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) urged the Sundance Institute to give a full and fair consideration of Georgia's three bidding cities to host the Sundance Film Festival beginning in 2027. In a letter to the Institute, the Senator highlighted Georgia as a modern-day entertainment, economic, and cultural powerhouse with the necessary infrastructure and amenities to support the festival. Athens, Atlanta, and Savannah are the three localities in Georgia-out of 15 nationwide-seeking the coveted bid to host the renowned festival.

"Emerging as the 'Hollywood of the South,' Georgia is a modern-day epicenter for visual storytelling. Our scenic landscapes, diverse cities, and warm and welcoming people have provided the backdrop for countless films and television series, captivating audiences around the world and bringing stories to life. The arc of Georgia's history and its evolution into an entertainment, economic, and cultural powerhouse beckons a renowned event like the Sundance Film Festival to make our great state its new home," Senator Warnock wrote.

The latest move reflects Senator Warnock's commitment to bolstering Georgia's dominant film and TV industry that is responsible for more than 60,000 jobs and a multi-billion dollar impact. In 2021, the Senator visited Trillith Studios in Fayetteville and Assembly Atlanta in Doraville to better understand the growing impact of the industry in Georgia and learn about the support needed from federal policymakers to encourage further support for the arts and entertainment.

"Georgia is uniquely positioned to accommodate the growth of the festival and welcome all its visitors. The state successfully hosted the Super Bowl in 2019 and will soon host multiple FIFA World Cup matches in 2026, including a semifinal match. Georgia boasts strong aviation and transportation infrastructure, including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world's busiest airport, which can accommodate visitors from across the globe," Senator Warnock wrote.

"Additionally, Georgia's film and television workforce is rapidly growing. Productions have become increasingly attracted to the state, and institutions such as the Savannah College of Art and Design and the University of Georgia are preparing the next generation of film workers. In fact, in 2023, film and television productions spent $4.1 billion in Georgia on nearly 400 productions of films, television shows, commercials, and music videos. Film and television production companies have also invested millions of dollars in production facilities and theaters across the state," Senator Warnock continued.

Full text of Senator Warnock's letter of support can be found HERE and below:

I am pleased to write this letter to encourage the full and fair consideration of Georgia's three applications to host the Sundance Film Festival in 2027.

Emerging as the "Hollywood of the South," Georgia is a modern-day epicenter for visual storytelling. Our scenic landscapes, diverse cities, and warm and welcoming people have provided the backdrop for countless films and television series, captivating audiences around the world and bringing stories to life. The arc of Georgia's history and its evolution into an entertainment, economic, and cultural powerhouse beckons a renowned event like the Sundance Film Festival to make our great state its new home.

In 2023, over 86,000 people attended the Sundance Film Festival, including nearly 21,500 out-of- state visitors who needed essentials like lodging, car rentals, and meals during the festival. Georgia is uniquely positioned to accommodate the growth of the festival and welcome all its visitors. The state successfully hosted the Super Bowl in 2019 and will soon host multiple FIFA World Cup matches in 2026, including a semifinal match. Georgia boasts strong aviation and transportation infrastructure, including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world's busiest airport, which can accommodate visitors from across the globe.

Additionally, Georgia's film and television workforce is rapidly growing. Productions have become increasingly attracted to the state, and institutions such as the Savannah College of Art and Design and the University of Georgia are preparing the next generation of film workers. In fact, in 2023, film and television productions spent $4.1 billion in Georgia on nearly 400 productions of films, television shows, commercials, and music videos. Film and television production companies have also invested millions of dollars in production facilities and theaters across the state. Hosting the Sundance Film Festival in Georgia would showcase the state's significant contributions to the film industry and provide an unparalleled opportunity to foster connections between independent filmmakers, industry professionals, and audiences.

I encourage your full and fair consideration of the applications to host the Sundance Film Festival in Georgia.

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