Utah Gov. Spencer Cox believes Sundance Film Festival is too culturally embedded in Utah to leave, he said at a press conference Thursday. “Sundance and Utah are connected in ways that would devastate both of us,

Park City is in the running to keep the annual event, however it would be under a new footprint, with more screenings and events in Salt Lake City. Boulder, Colorado and Cincinnati, Ohio are also in the running to host the independent film festival. A final decision is expected early next year.

The roster includes Boulder, Colorado; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Salt Lake City/Park City, Utah, with the latter marking a move from the festival's central headquarters in Park City to the larger state capital.