Josh Welsh, the president of Film Independent, passed away on December 31, 2024, as confirmed by representatives at Film Independent. He bravely fought colon cancer for five years and peacefully passed away at home with his wife and daughter by his side.
In a heartfelt Instagram post on January 1, Welsh’s friends shared their sorrow and celebrated his remarkable life. As the president of Film Independent, Welsh played a crucial role in overseeing all nonprofit operations and programs. During his tenure, Film Independent experienced significant growth, with membership numbers more than doubling.
Welsh’s association with Film Independent began in 1996 when he started volunteering at the Film Independent Spirit Awards as a young actor. In 2012, he took on the role of president and continued to expand the organization’s reach, staff, and programs. He was passionate about promoting diversity in the film industry and advocating for filmmakers.
Before becoming president, Welsh focused on designing and implementing Artist Development programs at Film Independent for over a decade. He was actively involved in speaking at film schools and serving on festival juries. Additionally, Welsh was the lead singer of the alt-country band Meatyard, which is set to release an album later this year.
Film Independent’s Board Chair Brenda Robinson expressed deep sorrow over Welsh’s passing, highlighting his dedication to independent voices and the arts. The organization plans to honor his legacy by building upon the foundation he established. Welsh is survived by his wife Bonnie Gavel and daughter Isla Welsh.
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