Sundance officials met with the Summit County Board of Health Monday evening to discuss the health guidelines for their upcoming hybrid film festival. Last year the festival was held virtually due to the pandemic, but with vaccines now widely available, there will be an in-person component.
Everyone who is attending will be required to show proof of vaccination. The festival is set to take place Jan. 20-30.
Sundance officials said they have a set of stringent policies to ensure the safety of the Park City community, artists and film goers.
Gina Duncan, producing director for the Sundance Institute, said they’re closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation with the new variant.
“As we’ve all experienced over the course of the pandemic, things can change,” Duncan said. “As such, we are prepared to adapt our health and safety protocols to reflect the latest guidelines.”
She said as a precaution this year, they’ve limited the amount of theaters they’re using to ensure health and safety protocols are being properly followed.
Vaccines & Masks
Duncan said there will be no exceptions to the vaccine mandate. She said they will only be accepting approved vaccines from the World Health Organization.
Sundance will be working with a third-party, international verification partner to make sure these standards are met.
Duncan said attendees can upload their vaccine card to the third-party app. After being verified, they’ll receive a QR code when they arrive at the festival.
One Board of Health member expressed concern about the difficulty of enforcing these guidelines.
Duncan said they’re planning on training their employees in de-escalation tactics to make sure festival goers comply with the rules. She also said they also have a good relationship with the local police department.
“We also have a community agreement that we're asking everyone to sign.” she said. “So by participating in the festival, you are also agreeing to the protocols that we have in place and what the expectations are.”
Masks will also be required to attend shows and events, and there will be on-site testing. It will be incorporated into the check-in process for staff and volunteers every 48 hours. Similarly, artists and media will also be required to test 48 hours prior to an event or showing.
Once arriving at the festival, attendees will get a wristband showing they have been vaccinated. Duncan said they will be non-removable and non-transferable.
Staff, volunteers and contractors who have tested positive for COVID-19 during the of the festival, according to Ducan, will be required to quarantine for 10 days.
People who have had a confirmed exposure are required to quarantine for five days.
