Denver didn't pursue bid to host Sundance. Here's why.

The curtains have closed on Denver's chance to host the Sundance Film Festival — one of the movie industry's most prominent annual events.

Why it matters: Wednesday marked the deadline for cities to submit a request to host the iconic event beginning in 2027, after Sundance announced last month that it would consider other U.S. cities to house the festival.

• Sundance — the largest independent film festival in the U.S. — has been headquartered in Park City, Utah since the late 1970s, where it attracts roughly 80,000 attendees each winter and generates more than $100 million in economic impact.

The intrigue: Despite Denver leaders believing the city would make a "fantastic location" for the festival in the future, they weren't made aware of the hosting opportunity, Office of Special Events executive director Katy Strascina tells us.

• "Sometimes with these large bids, the event has a list of desirable cities they want to submit a bid. Perhaps they only sent it to their top candidates?" she surmises.

What they're saying: Denver Film CEO Kevin Smith tells us his priorities center around bolstering what's already been built in Denver.

• "Our primary goal is to continue elevating the Denver Film Festival ," which Smith says is the Rocky Mountain region's largest and longest-running celebration of cinema.

Zoom in: DFF, now in its 47th year, draws roughly 20,000 people over 10 days to the Sie FilmCenter and other local venues, including the Buell Theatre and Ellie Caulkins Opera House.

• Last year, the festival showed nearly 200 films , documentaries and Oscar nominees. It generates hundreds of thousands of dollars in ticket revenues.

What's next: Mayor Mike Johnston's office says the city remains eager to host more events.

• "If there's a process and opportunity in the future based on timing and budget, we are open to the Sundance Festival coming to Denver," his spokesperson Jose Salas tells us.

What we're watching: Numerous cities, including Atlanta, Minneapolis, San Francisco and Santa Fe, New Mexico, have expressed interest in becoming Sundance's new home, Axios Salt Lake City's Kim Bojórquez reports .