Juan Devis has been named the president of Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization behind the Film Independent Spirit Awards.
Devis, who previously served as the chief creative officer at the Public Media Group of Southern California, will be stepping into the role after the passing of Josh Welsh, Film Independent’s longtime president. Welsh died in late 2024 after a battle with colon cancer.
During his time at Public Media Group of Southern California, which includes PBS SoCal and KCET, Devis oversaw a production slate that has earned over thirty Emmys. Most recently, Devis co-founded Ninety-Three Media, an independent film and documentary production company.
Today’s announcement was made by acting president Brenda Robinson. Said Robinson, “Juan brings a rare blend of institutional leadership and independent production experience, from overseeing award-winning programming at PBS SoCal, to his work at Ninety-Three Media. His track record of expanding how independent stories reach audiences and elevating distinguished voices makes him the ideal choice to lead the organization forward.”
“I’ve spent my life creating access, building ecosystems and championing diverse voices, because I believe that a healthy, inclusive and sustainable independent film community isn’t just good for artists—it’s essential for our culture,” said Devis, who will start in his new post on April 20. “I am looking forward to helping build Film Independent’s future as a resilient, globally connected, multi-platform ecosystem that sustains and celebrates independent film and media worldwide.”
In addition to the Spirit Awards, Film Independent is behind year-round artists development, mentorship programs, grants and labs. The Josh Welsh Legacy Fund was established this year, raising $1 million to support Film Independent’s artist programs.
