Celebrating my mom Helen and son Michael who are no longer with us, but holding on to their philosophy of life: to lead with love, hope, kindness and compassion as the guiding light and inspiration for all of us to connect deeply to family, friends and build our caring community. Sending Happy Mother’s Day wishes to everyone!
Such a great honor to receive the SFFilm Mel Novikoff Award last night at the San Francisco International Film Festival and be in conversation with the great filmmaker Pete Nicks and have the unforgettable film BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD, co-written/directed by Benh Zeitlin and co-written by Lucy Alibar play to a loving audience. Enormous thanks to Anne Lai, the Executive Director of SFFilm, who was the amazing lead of the Institute’s Producers Program and supporter of so many filmmakers for many years. We had our alumni, advisors and former staff join the event and it was truly so moving to all be together.
The groundbreaking and powerful film RICKY, co-written and directed by Rashad Frett is opening this weekend through indie self distribution. The @sundanceorg Feature Film Program Labs supported Rashad and RICKY premiered @sundancefestival winning the U.S. Dramatic Directing Award. It’s a must-see film!!
Huge congratulations to our @sundanceorg Screenwriters and Directors Lab Fellows who received the prestigious Nicholls Fellowship Awards from @theacademy : Leo Aguirre (Verano), Katla Solnes (ERUPTION), Sara Crow and David Rafailedes (SATOSHI). We celebrated them last night with our incredible Creative Advisors Howard Rodman and Virgil Williams who gave an extraordinary Keynote speech.
So proud of our @sundanceorg Lab Fellows Ryan Coogler and Paul T. Anderson for winning their incredible first #Oscars tonight. They made the unforgettable, visionary films SINNERS and ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER! Our incredible Creative Advisor Joaquim Trier made the award winning international film SENTIMENTAL VALUE. And Robert Redford, our Founder of the Sundance Institute was celebrated tonight for his visionary leadership.
Our recent Screenwriters Intensive had a fantastic group of emerging filmmakers supported by incredibly generous Creative Advisors, many of whom were Alum of the Labs! It was an inspiring and transformative experience for everyone led by Ilyse & our amazing staff team.
So honored to be celebrated by AAFCA (African American Film Critics Association) with the Film Advocate Award presented by the great Ava DuVernay. I share this Award with the excellent, inspiring team I get to work with and thank AAFCA’s amazing leader Gil Robertson. This is an incredible year of extraordinary Sundance Institute supported artists who have been nominated for and received multiple awards including Ryan Coogler, Chloe Zhao, Paul T. Anderson and Guillermo Del Toro who we supported in our first Lab in Mexico with great partners.
So many Sundance Institute supported projects were recognized with awards at the 41st @filmindependent #SpiritAwards - TRAIN DREAMS, SORRY, BABY, IF I HAD LEGS I’D KICK YOU, LURKER & THE PERFECT NEIGHBOR, reflecting great original voices & independent storytelling. Congratulations to all the nominated filmmakers and winners!
It was incredibly special being at the Andscape screening of HOOPS, HOPES & DREAMS with Dr. Bernice King an Executive Producer of the film, Alexys Feaster, a great producer, along with the ABC Storytellers Spotlight video beautifully executive produced by @NzingaBlake !
Loved being at the LA Premiere of the fantastic film CRIME 101, written and directed by Bart Layton, a @sundanceorg Lab Alum with his first fiction feature AMERICAN ANIMALS. His new film, a character driven crime thriller has great performances and is full of brilliantly captured high stakes action scenes. Huge congrats to Bart and his team!
Great to be at the AAFCA (African American Film Critics Association) Awards Celebration yesterday where the unforgettable short doc HOOPS, HOPES & DREAMS was honored with the Best Short Doc Award. Directed/Produced by Glenn Kaino with producers Alexys Feaster, Afshin Shahidi, Jesse Williams and our son Michael Latt and dedicated to Michael’s Legacy, the film is a must see on Andscape/Hulu. The AAFCA Awards Ceremony, created by Gil Robertson, was such a beautiful gathering of community honoring extraordinary work by so many Creators and incredible Executives dedicated to the power of storytelling with authenticity, truth, empathy and unforgettable creativity.
