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FilmQuest Opens in Provo as Utah's Largest Film Festival After Sundance Leaves

FilmQuest's 13th festival opened Oct. 22, 2026 at Velour in Provo with 300+ genre films. Dates, tickets, and what it means after Sundance's departure.

News October 25, 2026 5 min read ✓ Updated October 25, 2026
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FilmQuest, Provo's genre film festival, opened its 13th year on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, with a red-carpet night at Velour Live Music Gallery. With Sundance gone from Utah, the Daily Herald described it as the state's largest film festival. More than 300 science fiction, fantasy and horror films screen at Velour over about 11 days.
Festival FilmQuest, 13th annual
Where Velour Live Music Gallery, 135 N University Ave., downtown Provo
Dates Oct. 22 to Oct. 31, 2026 per the festival site
Lineup More than 300 genre films
Tickets On sale through FilmFreeway and filmquestfest.com

What happened

The Daily Herald reported that the festival opened despite rain, with the red carpet at Velour. FilmQuest began as a small genre event at Jordan Commons and moved to Provo in 2017. Co-founder and director Jonathan Martin told the paper that filling the space Sundance leaves is "a big void to fill," and argued that state leaders should invest in festivals already running in Utah rather than start over. Co-founder and deputy director Richard Teasdale described genre filmmaking as a labor of love.

The Sundance context

Sundance announced in 2025 that it was leaving Utah. The Herald reported that Gov. Spencer Cox has said stakeholders are working on a new major festival. For how Sundance's Utah years played out and what remains in the valley, see our guide to the Sundance Film Festival in Utah.

The scale gap is large. The Herald put Sundance's economic impact at about $100 million, against FilmQuest's own estimate of $1 million for Provo last year.

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The Oscar connection

The festival's last three top prize winners, "I'm Not a Robot," "The Singers" and "Two People Exchanging Saliva," each went on to win the Best Live Action Short Film Oscar, according to the Herald. The Academy has invited FilmQuest to apply for Oscar-qualifying status. If it is accepted, the Herald reported, it would be only the second genre festival in the world with that status.

If you want to go

Buy tickets and passes through the links on the FilmQuest festival site. Prices were not listed on the pages we checked. Our event listing for FilmQuest 2026 has the venue address and the organizer's description, and our Velour guide covers the venue itself. Downtown Provo parking fills on busy nights, so see downtown Provo parking before you head out, and Provo nightlife for places nearby.

If the film angle interests you more broadly, movies and TV filmed in Utah Valley is a good next read.

Sources: Daily Herald, Oct. 23, 2026; FilmQuest festival site, checked Oct. 25, 2026.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is FilmQuest 2026 in Provo?
The festival's website lists Oct. 22 to Oct. 31, 2026 at Velour in downtown Provo. The Daily Herald reported that more than 300 films screen over 11 days, and a separate event listing runs through Nov. 1, so check the festival site for the day-by-day schedule before you go.
Where is FilmQuest held?
At Velour Live Music Gallery, 135 N University Ave. in downtown Provo. The Daily Herald reported that the opening-night red carpet took place there on Thursday, Oct. 22, despite rainy weather.
How do I buy FilmQuest tickets?
The festival site says tickets and passes are on sale and links to FilmFreeway (filmfreeway.com/FilmQuest/tickets) and to filmquestfest.com/tickets-passes-2026/. The pages we checked did not list prices, so confirm costs there.
What kind of films does FilmQuest show?
Genre films: science fiction, fantasy and horror, in feature and short categories. The Daily Herald reported more than 300 films in this year's lineup.
Is FilmQuest replacing Sundance in Utah?
Not officially. The Daily Herald called FilmQuest the state's largest film festival now that Sundance has announced its departure, and it quoted festival director Jonathan Martin saying the Sundance void is a big one to fill. Gov. Spencer Cox has said stakeholders are working on a new major festival, according to the Herald.
Has FilmQuest produced Oscar winners?
Its last three top prize winners, I'm Not a Robot, The Singers and Two People Exchanging Saliva, each went on to win the Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film, the Daily Herald reported.
Is FilmQuest an Oscar-qualifying festival?
Not yet. The Daily Herald reported that the Academy has invited FilmQuest to apply, and that if it is accepted it would be only the second genre festival in the world with that status. Festivals typically take about 10 years to reach it.
How much does FilmQuest bring to Provo?
The festival estimated it generated $1 million for Provo last year, the Daily Herald reported. The same story put Sundance's economic impact at about $100 million, so the two are not close in scale.

Sources

The facts in this guide were checked against these sources. Hours, fees and rules change, so confirm anything time-sensitive with the source before you go. How we make Provo.com.

  1. FilmQuest International Film Festival, FilmQuest. Checked October 25, 2026.
  2. "There's an opportunity for us:" Provo's FilmQuest looks to step up in wake of Sundance's departure, Daily Herald. Checked October 25, 2026.
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