Juan Davis has been named president of Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization behind the Film Independent Spirit Awards.
Davis, who previously served as chief creative officer at Public Media Group in Southern California, will assume the role following the death of Josh Welch, the longtime president of Film Independent. Wells 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, Davis oversaw a production slate that has garnered more than thirty Emmys. Most recently, Davis co-founded Ninety-Three Media, an independent film and documentary production company.
Today’s announcement was made by Acting President Brenda Robinson. “Juan brings a rare combination of corporate leadership and independent production experience, from overseeing award-winning programming at PBS SoCal, to his work at Ninety-Three Media,” Robinson said. “His track record of expanding how independent stories reach audiences and elevating distinct 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 a healthy, inclusive, and sustainable independent film community isn’t just good for artists — it’s essential to our culture,” said Davis, who will start his new position April 20. “I look forward to helping build Film Independent’s future as a resilient, globally connected, multi-platform ecosystem that supports and celebrates independent films and media around the world.”
In addition to the Spirit Awards, Film Independent supports artist development, mentorship programs, grants and labs throughout the year. The Josh Welsh Legacy Fund was established this year, raising $1 million to support Film Independent’s artist programs.
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