Film Independent said Tuesday that Juan Devis, the producer and former chief creative officer at the Los Angeles media company behind public broadcasters PBS SoCal and KCET, has been named president of the nonprofit arts organization.
The hire formally completes the search fills to fill the spot held by Josh Welsh, the org’s president since 2012 who died in December after a battle with cancer. Brenda Robinson, who had been board chair, had been Acting President for the org, which features year-round grant and lab mentorship programs, screening series and puts on the annual Film Independent Spirit Awards.
“This is a pivotal moment for Film Independent as we enter our next era, and I am absolutely thrilled to welcome Juan Devis as our next President,” said Robinson of Devis, who starts April 20. “Juan brings a rare blend of institutional leadership and independent production experience, from overseeing award-winning programming at PBS SoCal, to his work at Ninetythree Media. His track record of expanding how independent stories reach audiences and elevating distinguished voices makes him the ideal choice to lead the organization forward.”
The Colombia-born Devis was Chief Creative Officer at the Public Media Group of Southern California before exiting in 2022. During his tenure, he grew the public broadcaster’s premium content studio and expanded the PBS SocCal and KCET’s digital content offerings to online, the PBS App and the station’s YouTube channels. He also forged partnerships with funders, organizations and independent production houses to bolster the company’s slate.
That slate during his time at the Los Angeles public broadcasters include series Artbound, Migrant Kitchen, Broken Bread with Roy Choi and Art Happens Here with John Lithgow, among others, earning several Emmys as well as James Beard and Edward R. Murrow awards along the way.
Devis is also is a co-founder with Participant’s Jeff Berg in Ninetythree Media, a cross-cultural production company focused on independent film, documentary and emerging media.
“We met many outstanding candidates,” Film Independent search committee co-chairs Alix Madigan and Eric d’Arbeloff said. “Juan stood out for the way he embodies the enduring values that define Film Independent — championing artistic voices and building community — in a way that transcends the rapidly shifting landscape.”
Devis, an Emerson graduate, earned his MFA from CalArts and lives in Los Angeles with his partner, filmmaker Laura Purdy, and their two children.
“I’ve spent my life creating access, building ecosystems and championing diverse voices, because I believe that a healthy, inclusive and sustainable independent film community isn’t just good for artists — it’s essential for our culture,” he said. “I am looking forward to helping build Film Independent’s future as a resilient, globally connected, multi-platform ecosystem that sustains and celebrates independent film and media worldwide.”
English (US) ·