Sundance boosted Utah economy by $92m, study says

The festival supported about 1,960  jobs and generated more than $18m in media exposure, as well as providing nearly $4m in state tax revenue.

The data coes from a study conducted by the University of Utah’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research at the David Eccles School of Business (BEBR).

The festival’s 25th edition welcomed 40,291 attendees, of which 66% were from out of state or abroad. That total number of attendees is down 11% from 2008, which the festival attributed to the global economy.

Press attendees totalled 1,040.

Spending by non-residents attending the 2009 Sundance Film Festival rose 9% to $62m, despite the drop in overall attendance.

Since 1994, the Sundance Film Festival has brought in more than $550m in economic activity to Utah.

“I am proud of the Sundance Institute’s contributions to arts and culture on the national and international stage. These numbers demonstrate that the Sundance Film Festival plays a vital role as an economic driver within the State of Utah, supporting job growth, generating tax revenue and adding value to the State’s commitment to tourism, “ said Jill Miller, the Sundance Institute’s managing director. “Broadly speaking, this data illustrates the vital role of arts in society, not only in terms of fostering dialogue but also as a contributor to economic success.”

Sundance 2010 is scheduled for January 21-January 31.