Pinned to the lapel of Michelle Satter’s blazer is a small, unassuming red button. It bears a simple, poignant message: Lead with Love. For Satter, the director of the Sundance Institute’s artist programs, this is not merely a slogan; it is a daily, heart-wrenching, and deeply empowering reminder of the life of her son, Michael Latt. Michael, a visionary strategist who dedicated his career to championing artists of color and elevating influential women, was tragically killed in his Los Angeles home on November 27, 2023. In the wake of such a profound loss, Satter and her husband, David Latt, a travel writer, have embarked on a mission to ensure that Michael’s spirit—and his commitment to social impact—remains a permanent fixture in the entertainment industry. Through the creation of the Michael Latt Legacy Fund, they are transforming their personal anguish into a powerful engine for artistic support. The Foundations of a Life Dedicated to Others To understand the significance of the work now being done in Michael Latt’s name, one must understand the man himself. Michael Latt was more than a publicist or a strategist; he was a bridge-builder. He founded "Lead with Love," an organization dedicated to the principle that art can be a catalyst for systemic change. His reach was vast and his impact profound, working alongside industry giants and culture-shifters, including Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY, Ryan Coogler, Barry Jenkins, Common, Netflix, the Sundance Film Festival, and the Directors Guild of America (DGA). Michael’s work was deeply rooted in the belief that storytelling is a form of advocacy. Whether he was helping incarcerated individuals navigate their transition back into society or supporting the next generation of Black filmmakers, Michael operated with an ethos of radical empathy. His death, an act of senseless violence, left a void not just in the hearts of his family, but in the social justice and creative communities he served with such vigor. Chronology of a Mission The timeline of the Michael Latt Legacy Fund is a testament to the speed and intensity with which a community can mobilize when fueled by love and shared values. November 2023: Following the tragic passing of Michael Latt, his parents, Michelle Satter and David Latt, begin the process of mourning. They quickly realize that their path forward requires a dedication to continuing Michael’s unfinished work. Early 2024: With the help of Franklin Latt, Michael’s brother and an agent at CAA, the family begins to structure the Legacy Fund. The goal was modest: they hoped to raise $30,000 to $40,000 to keep the spirit of Michael’s work alive. The First Year: The outpouring of support from the industry is immediate and overwhelming. Through the help of the CAA Foundation and hundreds of individuals, the fund raises an astonishing $350,000 in its first year alone. 2025: The fund begins formal operations, partnering with the Liberty Hill Foundation to establish a Donor Advised Fund (DAF). This allows for a more formal structure in granting, focusing on marketing and production support for emerging filmmakers. October 4, 2026: The organization prepares for its inaugural major fundraiser at the Los Angeles Underground Museum, a milestone event designed to solidify the fund’s future and celebrate the artists it has supported. Turning Grief into Purpose: The Mechanics of the Fund "Purpose gives me joy," Satter says, reflecting on the arduous journey of the past two years. For her and David Latt, the fund is a way to look for the light in the deepest darkness. "We had the tragedy that every parent fears," Latt adds. "But we looked for positivity. We wanted to preserve Michael’s work, and we needed purpose." The fund’s model is distinctive in its approach to "impact." Rather than traditional, impersonal grants, the Michael Latt Legacy Fund seeks to foster long-term relationships. In partnership with the Liberty Hill Foundation, the fund has expanded its scope to provide Marketing Impact Grants. These are designed to help independent films gain the visibility they need to reach audiences and secure distribution. As Satter notes, the success rate is already speaking for itself. "We supported our third artist this year, a filmmaker who I hope gets into the [Sundance] festival," she shares. "The last two that we supported through this granting had their films premiere at Sundance." This success mirrors Satter’s decades of work at the Sundance Institute’s labs, where she has championed the idea that creative support is not a "one-off" transaction, but a lifelong commitment to an artist’s development. Supporting the Unheard: Case Studies in Impact The Legacy Fund is not limited to high-profile filmmakers. It remains deeply connected to the grassroots, restorative justice work that Michael was so passionate about. A prime example is the support provided to filmmaker Jarrett Harper. Michael had met Harper during a prison tour with the artist Common, and the two had developed a mentorship that ultimately helped facilitate Harper’s successful reentry into society. When Harper produced his short film, I Got My Brother—a moving exploration of the foster care system—the Legacy Fund provided essential support. For Harper, who was "stunned" by Michael’s death, the grant was more than money; it was a continuation of a brotherhood that tragedy could not sever. A Year of Resilience: Navigating Personal and Professional Storms The past twenty-four months have been a period of relentless challenge for the Latt-Satter family. In January 2025, they faced the terror of the California wildfires, which forced them to evacuate their home in the Palisades. Though they lost their residence, they found temporary refuge in the home of friend and filmmaker Dean Parisot before eventually settling in Brentwood Hills. Simultaneously, Satter dealt with the profound personal loss of her mother, who passed away at the age of 102, and the broader industry mourned the death of Sundance founder Robert Redford. These compounding losses might have broken a less resilient family. Instead, Satter and Latt have turned to their work with a renewed fervor. While Satter continues to drive the creative vision at Sundance, David Latt has channeled his grief into writing a memoir, capturing the lessons learned from his son’s life and the ongoing pursuit of a meaningful legacy. Implications for the Future of Hollywood The work of the Michael Latt Legacy Fund serves as a vital critique of how the entertainment industry interacts with social justice. In an era where "diversity, equity, and inclusion" are often reduced to corporate jargon, the Latt Legacy Fund represents a return to human-centric action. 1. The Power of Community-Led Granting By operating as a Donor Advised Fund, the Latt legacy ensures that money is not just allocated, but directed by those who understand the specific needs of the artists. It bypasses the bureaucracy of large studios and goes directly to the creators who are often overlooked by traditional gatekeepers. 2. Storytelling as Healing The fund reinforces the idea that cinema is a force for justice and healing. By supporting stories about foster youth, the incarcerated, and marginalized communities, the fund is actively shaping the cultural conversation. 3. Sustainability in Philanthropy The fund has already raised enough capital to sustain its granting programs for the next five to six years. This provides a rare degree of stability for emerging artists who, in the current economic climate, often struggle to find consistent financial support. Conclusion: A Call to Lead with Love As the October fundraiser approaches, the message from the Latt family is clear: we can all make a difference. "Creativity is a part of everyone," says Satter. "We can all make an impact in the world, and storytelling is a force for justice, community, and healing." In a world that often feels fractured, the Michael Latt Legacy Fund stands as a beacon of what can be accomplished when we choose to prioritize connection over convenience. It is a promise that Michael Latt’s work—the work of lifting others up—will never be finished, but will instead be carried forward by a new generation of filmmakers, mentors, and dreamers. The little red button on Satter’s lapel is a reminder that while the pain of losing a child never truly fades, the love they leave behind can be mobilized into a force of nature. Through the Legacy Fund, the story of Michael Latt is not one of a life cut short, but of a legacy that continues to grow, frame by frame, artist by artist. Post navigation Autumn Box Office Showdown: The High-Stakes Clash of ‘Verity’ and ‘Digger’ The Architect of Chaos: Remembering Conrad “Cronos” Lant, the Visionary Behind Venom
