Josh Welsh, president of Film Independent, died on New Year’s Eve after a five-year battle with colon cancer.
“The Golden Globe Foundation has lost a friend. Josh was a powerhouse in terms of support for independent filmmakers,” said Henry Arnaud, President of the Golden Globe Foundation. “His tireless efforts on behalf of emerging artists remain an inspiration to us all.”
“We mourn for his family and the Film Independent family that he so ably grew and championed,” said Sandra Cuneo, Grants Program Officer at the Golden Globe Foundation. “He was an effective and influential advocate for independent filmmaking and filmmakers. He will be sorely missed by so many.”
Welsh’s love of cinema led him to begin volunteering at the Film Independent Spirit Awards in 1996. His input at Film Independent would only grow for the next 28 years, rising through the ranks before becoming president of the nonprofit in 2012. With Welsh at its helm, Film Independent expanded its programming, increased its budget, and hired more staff. In the 12 years since he was elected, membership more than doubled.
Deadline’s Tom Tapp reported on the huge number of programs and initiatives that Welsh oversaw: “Prior to becoming President, Welsh was responsible for the overall design, strategic planning and implementation of Film Independent’s Artist Development programs for over a decade. Those included the Filmmaker Labs for directors, screenwriters, producers and documentarians, Fast Track, and the Grants Program, and four years administering Film Independent’s signature diversity program, Project Involve. Welsh designed the curriculum for all of the Labs and has oversaw the selection of all Film Independent Fellows. In addition, he was Film Independent’s year-round industry liaison for filmmakers in the Artist Development programs.”
“We are devastated by the loss of Josh Welsh,” said 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.”
He is survived by his wife Bonnie Gavel and daughter Isla Welsh.
