\u201cSo you get out of your car and run,\u201d he added. <\/p>\n
The traffic in town is a function of how the once-folksy independent film event Robert Redford founded in the 1980s has outgrown the little ski village. This year, Park City is hosting its final Sundance \u2014 which kicks off Thursday \u2014 before the festival relocates next year to Boulder, Colorado, a city about 12 times bigger. <\/p>\n
It is also the first Sundance since Redford died in September at age 89, and organizers have planned a mix of programming that honors him and takes in the sweep of his festival\u2019s history. <\/p>\n \u201cThere is a poignant aspect to this year because of the change that\u2019s about to come,\u201d said festival Director Eugene Hernandez, speaking as his team of volunteers was setting up the festival\u2019s many venues, including a converted Park City sporting goods store that transforms annually into a 500-seat theater. \u201cWe knew that it was going to be this culmination in Utah, and we wanted to acknowledge and celebrate that.\u201d<\/p>\n Sundance grew out of Redford\u2019s belief in using his influence to open doors for others, his daughter Amy Redford told NBC\u2019s \u201cTODAY\u201d show<\/a>. He saw the event, and its nonprofit Sundance Institute, as an opportunity to \u201cchange the world,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n Directors like Quentin Tarantino, Steven Soderbergh, Ryan Coogler and Chlo\u00e9 Zhao have all had their early careers boosted by premieres here.<\/p>\n Redford\u2019s impact is also evident in the turnout: Last year, more than 85,000 people attended the fest, according to an economic impact commissioned by the Sundance Institute<\/a>. <\/p>\n This Sundance will host a gala launching an award in Redford\u2019s name; a screening of his first independent film, 1969\u2019s \u201cDownhill Racer\u201d; and reunion events for films from festivals past, such as \u201cLittle Miss Sunshine,\u201d \u201cHouse Party\u201d and \u201cSaw.\u201d<\/p>\n Sundance programmers are also looking forward with their slate, which includes newcomers like singer-songwriter Charli XCX, who will attend the premiere of her A24 concert mockumentary, \u201cThe Moment,\u201d and who has roles in two other films screening here: Araki\u2019s \u201cI Want Your Sex\u201d and an art world satire called \u201cThe Gallerist\u201d with Natalie Portman and Zach Galifianakis.<\/p>\n![\"Actor](\"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/t_fit-760w,f_auto,q_auto:best\/rockcms\/2023-10\/211202-robert-redford-oscars-1981-ew-202p-603c13.jpg\")