Why FanX? Celebrities can still be found in Utah even though Sundance is leaving

SALT LAKE CITY — For those who are disappointed about the Sundance Film Festival moving to Colorado, fear not. Another annual venue more than makes up for it.

The FanX Salt Lake Comic & Pop Culture Convention brings in about 90 celebrities every September, and it’s growing. This year, two of the biggest names in the science fiction genre are coming to the convention.

William Shatner, the original Star Trek captain who appeared on television, is back for another appearance. The Founder and CEO of FanX Salt Lake, Dan Farr, said this is Shatner’s third appearance, having been to Salt Lake in 2016 and 2022.

Also making a return appearance is David Tennant, he last visited in 2018. He might be better known Doctor #10 and #14 in the Doctor Who universe.

FanX SLC is a popular convention for celebrities

Farr said many guests request a visit to Salt Lake’s comic convention because they are treated so well. Not just by the staff, but also from all the fans who attend.

“We could book ten times as many celebrities, if we had room,” Farr said.

Another reason the convention is so successful, he said, is because actors from the science fiction and superhero genres aren’t the only guests invited to come.

“We’ve had a lot of success bringing in voice-over actors who do anime and from the gaming world,” Farr said. “… This year we also have Andrew McCarthy, who starred in many of the Brat Pack movies of the 1980s.”

Soleil Moon Frye, best known as the titular character in “Punky Brewster” from the 1980s, has also been confirmed.

About 80,000 to 100,000 visitors attend every year

“It’s hard to get an exact number because kids under 10 get in free,” Farr said.  “We might be able to fit an additional 20,000 fans into the venue over the three-day event, but not much more than that.”

For a fee above the entrance cost, fans can get an autograph or picture with their favorite star. Many celebrities even take time out to have conversations with everyone who stops by their booth.

Last year, people waited hours to see Matthew Lillard not just because he is well-known for his roles in “Scooby Doo” and “SLC Punk” but also because he took time to speak with every person in line.

All your favorite stars, all in one place

People at FanX definitely have a better chance of seeing, or even meeting, their favorite actors, writers, or comic book creators than they would at the Sundance Film Festival.

Plus, 2026 is the last year the festival will be held in Utah.

In 2024, the Sundance Institute announced it was taking bids from other cities to host one of the world’s most prestigious film festivals.  The city of Boulder, Colorado won the bid and will begin hosting in January 2027.

High-profile celebrities still wanted

While FanX SLC books plenty of A-list guests, Farr said he has a wish list of actors who haven’t appeared, yet.

“We’d love to have Robert Downey Jr, Harrison Ford, and Chris Pratt,” Farr said.  “…Tom Hiddleston has been at other conventions and we’d take him in a minute if he showed.”

Related articles:

• How is Salt Lake FanX 2023 affected by the Hollywood strike?
• Salt Lake Comic and Pop Culture Convention FanX is back

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