Skip to main content
Got a tip?
Newsletters

Sundance Institute

Sundance Institute, Disney Reveal First Muslim Artist Fellowship Cohort (Exclusive)

The Sundance Institute and Disney have selected the first cohort for their Muslim Artist Fellowship. Each of the four filmmakers will receive an unrestricted $15,000 grant as they participate in a year-round professional development program that will include personalized support, networking and community-building opportunities in service of their respective goals and projects. “Our partnership with […]

‘Awards Chatter’ Podcast: Michelle Satter on 43 Years at Sundance Institute, Helping the Likes of Chloé Zhao and Ryan Coogler, and Her Jean Hersholt Award

Michelle Satter, the guest on this episode of The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast, has been called “the fairy godmother of independent cinema.” In 1981, she went to work for Robert Redford as the founding director of the Sundance Institute, the labs of which have, in the words of the Associated Press, “helped to launch […]

Sundance Institute, Gold House Launch Multicultural Filmmakers Fund

As more and more cultural affinity groups plant their flags at Sundance each year, Gold House has united a handful of organizations, in partnership with the Sundance Institute, for a shared mission: to tangibly support filmmakers from historically excluded backgrounds. The Sundance Institute | One House Filmmakers Fund provides $10,000 in unrestricted financing as well […]

Michael Latt Legacy Fund Aims to Carry on Artistic Mission for Lead With Love Founder

The family of Michael Latt, the social activist and founder of entertainment marketing firm Lead With Love who was fatally shot at his home in November, wants to continue his legacy. Michelle Satter, Latt’s mother and founding senior director at the Sundance Institute, announced a newly established fund to further Latt’s work in a post […]

Woman Arrested in the Killing of Sundance Institute Director Michelle Satter’s Son, Michael Latt

A woman has been arrested for the fatal shooting of Michael Latt, the founder of entertainment marketing firm Lead With Love. The 33-year-old was shot in his Miracle Mile home on Monday night and died after being transported to a hospital. Latt was the son of Michelle Satter, the founding senior director at the Sundance […]

Disney and Sundance Institute Team to Launch Grants for Historically Excluded Directors (Exclusive)

The Sundance Institute’s storied artist programs for directors from historically excluded backgrounds just added another major benefit. Nine narrative filmmakers have been chosen to receive a $25,000 unrestricted grant, courtesy of Sundance and The Walt Disney Studios’ new Project Advancement and Completion Fund, along with access to other Sundance programs such as the digital classroom […]

OTV and Sundance Institute Team for ‘Pitch, Please!’ Live Event to Support Intersectional Storytellers (Exclusive)

Open Television and the Sundance Institute have joined forces for a new initiative aimed at expanding support for intersectional storytellers. Launching amid the fifth anniversary of the annual #OTVFellows program, Pitch, Please! will serve as a launching pad for fellowship participants — a collection of independent artists marginalized by their race, gender, sexuality, class, disability or […]

Christopher Nolan Set for Inaugural Sundance Institute Trailblazer Award on Opening Night of 2024 Fest

Christopher Nolan, Celine Song and Maite Alberdi will be feted at a gala fundraiser on the opening night of the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, the nonprofit Sundance Institute said Wednesday. The Jan. 18 gathering, which will take place at the DeJoria Center, will “raise critical funds to support independent artists year-round through labs, grants and […]

Tessa Thompson, Pete Nicks Join Sundance Board of Trustees

Tessa Thompson, Pete Nicks, Nina Fialkow, and Kimberly Steward have been named to the Sundance Institute’s Board of Trustees. They join a board of trustees that includes Jason Blum, Lulu Wang and Philipp Engelhorn, along with chair Ebs Burnough and vice chairs Sean Bailey and Gigi Pritzker. “As Sundance Institute continues to respond to the needs […]

Sundance Institute Undergoes Layoffs

As the entertainment industry continues to weather the effects of inflation, current and potential labor strikes, and general austerity measures, the Sundance Institute has undergone a round of layoffs. CEO Joana Vicente made the announcement to staff today, according to a familiar source. The layoffs have impacted 11 staffers, or about six percent of the […]

Oscars: Angela Bassett, Mel Brooks and Carol Littleton Tapped for Honorary Awards, Michelle Satter for Hersholt

Actress Angela Bassett, writer-director-actor-songwriter Mel Brooks and film editor Carol Littleton have been tapped to receive honorary Oscars, while former Sundance Institute chief Michelle Satter will receive the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the 2023 Governors Awards, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Monday. The 14th annual honors will be presented at […]

Sundance Institute Receives Historic Endowment for Indigenous Talent

The Sundance Institute has received the largest endowment in the non-profit’s four-decade history, which will go toward supporting its indigenous talent programs. The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria has made a $4 million dollar endowment to the Institute’s Indigenous Program. The endowment, known as the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria | Sundance Institute Endowment, will […]