Overview
- Film Independent, which announced Juan Devis as president Tuesday, said he will start on April 20.
- He succeeds acting president Brenda Robinson after the death of longtime leader Josh Welsh, and the group created a $1 million Josh Welsh Legacy Fund for year-round artist programs.
- Devis led content at PBS SoCal and KCET as chief creative officer, where teams earned more than 30 Emmys, and he co-founded the cross-cultural studio Ninety-Three Media.
- In his first statement, Devis stressed access for creators, support for diverse voices, and growth into a resilient, globally connected, multi-platform ecosystem.
- His appointment lands as the Spirit Awards relocate from Santa Monica’s beach site to the Hollywood Palladium in a move described as temporary because of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.