The independent film world is in mourning as the new year is rung in, with Film Independent president Josh Welsh passing away.
Welsh – whose age was not readily available – had been battling colon cancer for five years before his passing, according to Deadline.
He passed peacefully with his wife Bonnie Gavel and their daughter Isla Welsh at his side.
Welsh started his entertainment career as an actor before he began volunteering at the Film Independent Spirit Awards starting in 1996.
He ultimately joined the Film Independent staff more than 20 years ago and was named President of the origanization in 2012.
‘We are devastated by the loss of Josh Welsh,” said Film Independent’s Board Chair Brenda Robinson.
The independent film world is in mourning as the new year is rung in, with Film Independent president Josh Welsh passing away
Welsh – whose age was not readily available – had been battling colon cancer for five years before his passing, according to Deadline
‘We are devastated by the loss of Josh Welsh,” said Film Independent’s Board Chair Brenda Robinson (right, pictured in February 2024)
‘Josh was a tireless champion of independent voices, a trusted arts leader and a cherished colleague and friend,’ she added.
‘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,’ she concluded.
He was also part of an alt-country music group called Meatyard, which had recorded an album for release later this year.
Welsh’s Instagram named after the group also announced his passing in a heartfelt post on Wednesday.
‘Dear friends, Josh put down his guitar and left to sing with the angels on the last day of 2024,’ the post began.
‘With broken hearts, we celebrate his tremendous life force; his generosity and his love of connection. We will carry him in our hearts forever,’ the post concluded.
Several independent filmmakers commented on the post to share their condolences, including James Ponsoldt (The Spectacular Now).
‘You were the most wonderful human, Josh. You advocated endlessly for so many people. You were the definition of selfless. Your kindness was limitless. You will be an inspiration for the rest of my life. I already miss you. Thank you, my friend,’ he said.
Welsh’s Instagram named after the group also announced his passing in a heartfelt post on Wednesday
Several independent filmmakers commented on the post to share their condolences, including James Ponsoldt (The Spectacular Now)
Moonlight director Barry Jenkins added, ‘A tremendous human being. Just the absolute best of us.’
Jeremy Podeswa (Game of Thrones) added ‘I am so sorry for your loss. Such a beautiful, kind, lovely man. Every interaction with Josh was such a warm and happy one. My condolences to his friends, family and colleagues.’
Coda director Sian Heder added, ‘Josh, my friend. You made every room more fun, armer and more connected. You believed in me when I wasn’t sure whether to believe in myself. Thank you for championing so many filmmakers and artists. I’ll miss you.’
Ava DuVernay (Selma) added, ‘What a man. What a gift. To have known him is to have smiled and felt warmed by such a light, such a strong life force. Thank you, Josh. Grateful to have crossed paths with you here. Until again in the next place, my friend.’
After joining the staff of Film Independent, he was responsible for Film Independent’s Artist Development program, which he ran for more than a decade.
Some of those programs included the Filmmaker Labs, Fast Track, and the Grants Program, and he also spent four years on Film Independent’s signature diversity program, Project Involve.
Welsh also served as Film Independent’s year-round industry liaison for filmmakers in the Artist Development programs.
He also worked in Film Independent’s Programming Department where he helped select films for several different screening series.
Moonlight director Barry Jenkins added, ‘A tremendous human being. Just the absolute best of us’
Jeremy Podeswa (Game of Thrones) added ‘I am so sorry for your loss. Such a beautiful, kind, lovely man. Every interaction with Josh was such a warm and happy one. My condolences to his friends, family and colleagues’
Coda director Sian Heder added, ‘Josh, my friend. You made every room more fun, armer and more connected. You believed in me when I wasn’t sure whether to believe in myself. Thank you for championing so many filmmakers and artists. I’ll miss you.’
Ava DuVernay (Selma) added, ‘What a man. What a gift. To have known him is to have smiled and felt warmed by such a light, such a strong life force. Thank you, Josh. Grateful to have crossed paths with you here. Until again in the next place, my friend’
Since becoming Film Independent President in 2012, he has helped grow the organization by leaps and bounds.
The size of the staff, budget and program slate all increased under his watch, including a more than 100% increase in membership.
During Welsh’s tenure, Film Independent has, ‘deepened strategic partnerships with studios, NGOs and governments, and increased international reach by partnering with the State Department on the Global Media Makers program,’ according to the Film Independent website.
He has expanded the organization’s commitment to promoting diversity in the film industry and has amplified Film Independent’s role as an advocate for filmmakers.