Film Independent President Josh Welsh handed away on December 31 after a five-year battle with colon most cancers, the group introduced this night. Welsh handed peacefully at house together with his spouse and daughter at his facet.
“We are devastated by the loss of Josh Welsh,” mentioned Film Independent’s Board Chair Brenda Robinson. “Josh was a tireless champion of independent voices, a trusted arts leader and a cherished colleague and friend. The work we do at Film Independent has never been more necessary and we will honor his legacy by continuing to build on the foundation he established. Our hearts go out to his family.”
At the group, Welsh straight oversaw all packages and operations. According to Film Independent, the nonprofit grew considerably throughout Welsh’s tenure turned President in 2012, from employees to finances to program slate, together with a greater than 100% enhance in Membership. Under Welsh’s management, Film Independent deepened strategic partnerships with studios, NGOs and governments, and elevated worldwide attain by partnering with the State Department on the Global Media Makers program.
Welsh ascended to steer the group as a co-president with Sean McManus. The duo succeeded Executive Director Dawn Hudson, who departed to turn out to be CEO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. McManus stepped down in 2013, at which era Welsh turned President.
Prior to changing into President, Welsh was accountable for the general design, strategic planning and implementation of Film Independent’s Artist Development packages for over a decade. Those included the Filmmaker Labs for administrators, screenwriters, producers and documentarians, Fast Track, and the Grants Program, and 4 years administering Film Independent’s signature range program, Project Involve. Welsh designed the curriculum for the entire Labs and has oversaw the number of all Film Independent Fellows. In addition, he was Film Independent’s year-round business liaison for filmmakers within the Artist Development packages. Welsh additionally managed the Grants Program, which incorporates Donor Named Fellowships, Sloan Producers Grants and in-kind grants. In 2009-2010, he oversaw the Netflix FIND Your Voice competitors and is at present administering the number of writers and designing the curriculum for the Fox Writer’s Intensive with Fox Studios.
Prior to engaged on the Filmmaker Labs, Welsh was in Film Independent’s Programming Department the place he helped choose movies for the Festival Buzz, Documentary Buzz and New Visions Screening Series. He labored with the Spirit Award Nominating Committees in addition to the blue-ribbon committees that decide winners of money grants on the Spirit Awards.
He was additionally the lead singer within the alt-country band Meatyard, which just lately accomplished an album to be launched later this 12 months.
Welsh is survived by his spouse Bonnie Gavel and daughter Isla.
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