As “A Minecraft Movie” continues to captivate audiences and approaches the remarkable milestone of billion in global box office sales, director Jared Hess has taken a moment to express his heartfelt appreciation to fans. In a recent Instagram post, he shared, “Minecraft fans — you all have seriously blown us away. Your excitement has made ‘A Minecraft Movie’ such a bonkers experience. Seeing your costumes, songs, and reactions reminded us how incredibly creative and passionate this community is. Honestly, we’re just glad we got to craft something for you.”
This film marks a new chapter for Hess, a filmmaker based in Salt Lake City, who has hinted at the possibility of a sequel following the film’s success. However, closer to home, he is grappling with the bittersweet end of an era as the Sundance Film Festival prepares to relocate from its long-standing Park City, Utah, headquarters to Boulder, Colorado, in 2027. “I’m still licking my wounds,” Hess lamented in an interview with the Deseret News. “It’s depressing, it’s so sad. It’s the end of an era.”
‘Minecraft’ director Jared Hess on Sundance leaving Utah
The Sundance Film Festival played a pivotal role in launching the careers of Jared and his wife, Jerusha Hess, over two decades ago when it embraced their quirky film about a Tater Tot-loving teen named Napoleon. Reflecting on that time, Hess recalled, “I’d hoped that it could get into some festivals, and it would be a stepping stone to other projects, that maybe at some point I could get an agent, and that would kind of move my career forward. I never, ever in a million years anticipated that it would get into my dream festival in Sundance.”
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<span class="c-media-itemcaption”>Shondrella Avery (Lafanwnduh), Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite) and Efren Ramirez (Pedro) laugh as they join the audience in a screening of Napoleon Dynamite at Sundance in Park City at the Ray Theatre on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024.
<span class="c-media-itemcredit”>| Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Hess vividly remembers the mix of excitement and anxiety he felt during the premiere of “Napoleon Dynamite” at the festival in January 2004. The moment the audience erupted in cheers for the film’s protagonist, who had just secured a date for the high school dance, was a turning point for him. “I’d never been in a screening where people were cheering and clapping for a character,” he recounted. “It was just this wash of relief and excitement.” The film, rich with memorable quotes, quickly became a cultural touchstone and effectively launched the careers of both Jared and Jerusha Hess.
“It was a tiny movie we made in our first tiny apartment,” Jerusha reflected during a 20th-anniversary screening of the film last year. “We were babies. … I can’t thank Sundance enough, you guys made our career. You’re the reason why we can afford bread today.” The couple returned to Sundance nearly a decade later with their 2015 film “Don Verdean,” further solidifying their connection to the festival.
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<span class="c-media-itemcaption”>Director Jared Hess, left, and co-writer Jerusha Hess attend the “Don Verdean” premiere during the 2015 Sundance Film Festival on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015, in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP)
<span class="c-media-itemcredit”>| Arthur Mola, Invision, Associated Press
As Jared Hess celebrates the triumph of “A Minecraft Movie,” he finds himself reflecting on the significance of the Sundance Film Festival, which has been a cornerstone of his career. “Just so many amazing memories up there — not just for myself, but every filmmaker that’s ever participated in the film festival — and to have it go, that we couldn’t somehow pull it together to keep the festival here, it’s heartbreaking,” he shared.
Sundance Film Festival moves to Boulder, Colorado
Hess is not alone in his sentiments regarding the festival’s departure. A recent poll conducted by the Deseret News and the Hinckley Institute of Politics revealed that a majority of Utah residents (56%) share his disappointment. The Sundance Institute announced in late March its decision to relocate the annual film festival to Boulder, marking the end of a 40-year relationship with Park City.
“Park City is extremely disappointed that they’re going to be leaving Park City and the state of Utah in 2027,” remarked Park City Mayor Nann Worel. “We have treasured our 40-plus year relationship with Sundance.” In a recent press conference, Utah Governor Spencer Cox noted that Sundance’s departure might pave the way for a “bigger” festival. “Utah’s film community and state leaders are coming together to innovate surrounding future opportunities,” stated Utah Film Commission Director Virginia Pearce. “This will take time and thoughtful exploration. We are excited about the opportunity to build on the strength of Utah’s film legacy and support our growing industry.”
