Where does the name Sundance come from?

Redford's role as the Sundance Kid

Sundance Film Festival Quiz: Robert Redford and Park City

This Sundance Film Festival quiz heads to snowy Park City for the event that made independent film a star maker. Play an interactive set of 10 questions on the 1978 Utah festival, Robert Redford, the Sundance Kid, the Sundance Institute, Park City, breakout films, CODA's record sale and the planned move to Boulder.

Start Sundance Film Festival Quiz

🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 150 Seconds

Question 1 / 10 Time: 150s

Founded
When did the festival that became Sundance begin?
Founder
Which actor founded the Sundance Institute?
Name
Where does the name Sundance come from?
Town
In which Utah town is the festival held?
Month
When is Sundance held each year?
Focus
Which kind of films does Sundance champion?
1989
Which 1989 film helped make Sundance famous?
Tarantino
Which Quentin Tarantino film premiered at Sundance in 1992?
CODA
Which Sundance film went on to win the Best Picture Oscar?
Move
Where is the festival planned to move from 2027?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: When did the festival that became Sundance begin?
Answer: 1978
It started as the Utah/US Film Festival.
Q2: Which actor founded the Sundance Institute?
Answer: Robert Redford
He set it up in 1981.
Q3: Where does the name Sundance come from?
Answer: Redford's role as the Sundance Kid
The film was Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
Q4: In which Utah town is the festival held?
Answer: Park City
It is a ski town.
Q5: When is Sundance held each year?
Answer: January
Snow often falls on festivalgoers.
Q6: Which kind of films does Sundance champion?
Answer: Independent films
Many first-time directors debut there.
Q7: Which 1989 film helped make Sundance famous?
Answer: sex, lies, and videotape
Steven Soderbergh directed it.
Q8: Which Quentin Tarantino film premiered at Sundance in 1992?
Answer: Reservoir Dogs
It became a cult hit.
Q9: Which Sundance film went on to win the Best Picture Oscar?
Answer: CODA
It sold for a record price in 2021.
Q10: Where is the festival planned to move from 2027?
Answer: Boulder, Colorado
Organizers announced it in 2025.

Sundance Film Festival Quiz – Robert Redford and Park City

The Sundance Film Festival began in 1978 as the Utah/US Film Festival. Robert Redford founded the Sundance Institute in 1981, named after his role in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and the institute took over the festival.

Held each January in Park City, Utah, Sundance became the leading showcase for independent films. sex, lies, and videotape in 1989 and Reservoir Dogs in 1992 helped launch careers.

Later breakouts included Little Miss Sunshine, Whiplash and CODA, which sold for a record price in 2021 and won the Best Picture Oscar. In 2025 organizers announced a move to Boulder, Colorado, from 2027.

What This Quiz Teaches

Film fans will enjoy these questions.

How it began
Who founded the institute
Where it is held
Which films broke out
Where it is heading

Did You Know?

Sundance also runs labs to train filmmakers.
Slamdance began nearby as an alternative festival.
Many films are bought by distributors during the festival.
Documentaries are a major part of the program.
Crowds line up in the cold for screenings.