Film Independent Welcomes PBS SoCal’s Juan Devis as New President
Film Independent announced on Tuesday that Juan Devis, the producer and former chief creative officer of PBS SoCal and KCET, has been appointed president of the nonprofit arts organization. This announcement marks the conclusion of a search to fill the position left vacant following the passing of Josh Welsh, who served as president since 2012 and died in December after a battle with cancer.
Brenda Robinson, who previously held the role of board chair, served as Acting President during the interim period. Film Independent is known for its year-round grant and mentorship programs, screening series, and 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,” Robinson stated. Devis will officially begin his role on April 20. She praised him for bringing a unique combination of institutional leadership and independent production experience, noting his record of enhancing the reach of independent stories and elevating prominent voices.
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Devis, originally from Colombia, served as Chief Creative Officer at the Public Media Group of Southern California until his departure in 2022. He was instrumental in expanding the public broadcaster’s premium content offerings and enhancing its digital presence through platforms like the PBS App and YouTube channels. His initiatives included building partnerships with various funders and production houses.
Among the notable series produced during his tenure are Artbound, Migrant Kitchen, Broken Bread with Roy Choi, and Art Happens Here with John Lithgow. His work earned several Emmy Awards, as well as accolades from the James Beard Foundation and the Edward R. Murrow Awards.
In addition to his previous roles, Devis co-founded Ninetythree Media with Participant’s Jeff Berg, a cross-cultural production company that focuses on independent film, documentary, and emerging media.
“Juan stood out for the way he embodies the enduring values that define Film Independent—championing artistic voices and building community—despite the rapidly shifting landscape,” said Alix Madigan and Eric d’Arbeloff, co-chairs of the Film Independent search committee.
An Emerson College graduate, Devis earned his MFA from CalArts. He resides 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,” Devis remarked. He expressed his eagerness to contribute to Film Independent’s future as a resilient, globally connected, multi-platform ecosystem that nurtures and celebrates independent film and media worldwide.
