Michael Latt Legacy Fund Sets Third Cohort of Leading With Love Grantees

Michael Latt Courtesy the Latt Family

Third time’s a charm for the Michael Latt Legacy Fund.

The nonprofit — formed in the wake of Latt’s death to support rising creatives whose work hits the sweet spot of what Latt held dear in his own life and work (culture, advocacy, storytelling, social impact and community transformation) — has selected the recipients for this year’s Leading With Love: Grants in Support of Courageous Creativity.

In total, there are 16 grantee recipients across a range of disciplines including filmmakers, artists, activists, educators and organizations, and the funds will help through artists fellowships, advocacy projects, documentary films and organizational support.

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“Grants made through the Michael Latt Legacy Fund affirm what Michael believed: that leading with love is something we practice through action,” offered Michelle Satter and David Latt, his parents and fund founders. “Supporting extraordinary storytellers, artists and community leaders ensures that his vision continues through the work of people who are creating impact and changing lives every day.”

In other Michael Latt Legacy Fund news, the organization has also confirmed that it will host an inaugural gathering to toast the foundation, its work and recipients and honor the community of people deep in the work that Latt lived to support and champion. The event will be held at L.A.’s Underground Museum on Oct. 4. More information on the event, including tickets, can be found here.

A summary of grantee recipients and descriptions of their work are listed below.

CAA‘s power agent Franklin Latt, writer-producer David Latt, Sundance Institute icon Michelle Satter and Michael Latt pose for a family photo. Courtesy of Michael Latt Legacy Fund

Artists & Organizations

SoLa Foundation / Art in Action: For a second year, the organization, which focuses on ending intergenerational poverty through education and community development, will partner with the fund to empower young artists in South Los Angeles through workshops, guest speakers and mentorship programs.

Protect the Sacred: The organization — led by Allie Redhorse Young with a mission of educating and empowering the next generation of leaders and allies to use storytelling and community building as a means to strengthen Indigenous sovereignty and protect elders’ traditions — will funnel support to youth programming with a particular focus on storytelling, sports and cultural expression.

Jon Boogz / Stories Are Living Things (SALT): An immersive storytelling performance and participatory community exhibition designed to explore how movement, language and narratives shape brains, bodies and relationships. The org launched the Remedy in the Rhythm Impact Campaign featuring grassroots film screenings paired with somatic healing workshops.

A group photo of the SoLa Foundation participants. Courtesy of Michael Latt Legacy Fund

Artists Fellowships

• Leo Aguirre: The Verano filmmaker will receive a Panavision package, which is comprised of a camera package and educational resources and given to an underrepresented auteur who is in the process of making their debut film. Verano centers on an unruly teen whose plans for a carefree summer are disrupted when his parents welcome an asylum seeker into their home. The project was also supported by Sundance Institute’s feature film program labs.

The Friend’s House is Here: The Maryam Ataei and Hossein Keshavarz-directed film will receive a grant that is doled out in partnership between the Michael Latt Legacy Fund and Spark Features. It’s meant to uplift a film “from a bold new artist” that premiered at Sundance. The Iran-focused film will be released from Greenwich Entertainment this fall.

Kasey Elise Walker and Andrea Ellsworth: The co-directors of Too Many Hoops are the inaugural recipients of the Michael Latt Legacy / Further Adventures Fellowship. The joint grant was created to support “exceptional first-time directors whose work reflects Michael Latt’s unwavering belief in the power of storytelling to create empathy, inspire change and build community.” It’s described as a “soft prep” grant and will help filmmakers in that critical time between development and production.

Short Film and Advocacy Projects

Documentary Short Co-Directed by Chiké Okonkwo and Chris Advansun: A new project, produced by Fiona Hardingham, will focus on “the human impulse to create and how creative expression becomes a pathway to connection, healing and transformation.” It will feature appearances by Ryan Coogler, Ava DuVernay, Common and Glenn Kaino.

Jarrett Harper’s Better Days: Harper founded Better Days, an organization created to amplify and support foster youth. Harper detailed his own story through the foster care system in Victor K. Gabriel’s short film, I Got My Brother, which found Harper and his younger brother Baylon detailing the abuse and neglect they suffered while in L.A.’s foster care system. Their brotherly bond faced challenges when 17-year-old Harper was sentenced to life in prison for taking the life of their abuser.

Jarrett Harper, founder of the organization Better Days, speaks at an event. Courtesy of Michael Latt Legacy Fund

Community and Collaboration

Represent Justice: The organization uses storytelling as a tool to engage audiences in reimagining the legal system to create change. In a partnership with Sundance Collab — Sundance Institute’s community and educational online platform — the groups support ambassadors as emerging filmmakers to learn more about the craft of storytelling.

Sundance Collab/Michael Latt Artist Residency: Sundance Collab residency supports underrepresented storytellers early in their respective careers as they trudge forward with work that is rooted in creative, cultural and social impact. The cohort includes documentary fellows Amin Pakparvar and Sara Chishti, writer-directors Gabby Beans, Lydia Matata and Rippin Sindher, and film/TV writer fellows Marisa Francis and Pedro Eiras. Those selected will receive access to courses, masterclasses, mentors and opportunities.

Harness Practitioner in Residency Program: Created in partnership between Harness and the Michael Latt Legacy Fund, the initiative provides a platform for activists and artists to strengthen their work in community advocacy. Harness was co-founded by America Ferrera, Wilmer Valderrama and Ryan Piers Williams to unite changemakers in working towards a more just future.

Bold Futures

Get Lit’s Creative Career Lab: The organization’s career initiative serves as a developmental program to prepare and help place young adults in dream jobs through a program that places an emphasis on literary studies and creative expression.

Howard University’s Michael Latt Legacy Fellowship: Supports a full scholarship for a student who “demonstrates a strong commitment to social justice and bold, innovative storytelling.” A year-long fellowship also provides creative guidance in fiction and nonfiction storytelling through educational opportunities on Sundance Collab as well as a Sundance Film Festival experience and six-month mentorship program.

Young Women’s Freedom Center’s Freedom Conversations: The organization will deliver gender-specific and trauma-informed services that will serve to heal youth and support them along the way in leadership development.

Venice Arts’ Center for Creative Workforce Equity: The program provides free digital storytelling, film, and media production training, paid stipends and professional certifications to underserved and marginalized groups. Under this initiative through the Media Arts Education program, they will focus on putting creativity, art making and art learning at the center of youth development.

Deon Jones’ American Rave: Jones leans on music, discourse and joy to mount his collective gatherings which are described as “cultural revivals.”