Brenda Robinson Named Acting President At Film Independent; Eric D’Arbeloff Transitions To Acting Board Chair

Film Independent has named Brenda Robinson its Acting President, with Eric d’Arbeloff stepping up to her previous role of Acting Board Chair, after a period serving as board vice chair.

These temporary shifts in leadership at the nonprofit come following the December 31 passing of longtime Film Independent president Josh Welsh. They were voted on during a Wednesday board meeting and are effective immediately.

As Acting Board Chair, D’Arbeloff will head the search for a permanent president. He and Robinson intend to return to their prior roles on the board once a replacement is found.

Formerly an entertainment attorney, Robinson first got involved with Film Independent 12 years ago and elevated to board chair in 2022, after becoming vice chair in 2021 and joining the board in 2020.

D’Arbeloff, who co-founded and serves as Co-President of distributor Roadside Attractions, has been involved with the organization for two decades.

The nonprofit’s former President, Welsh, who assumed that role in 2012, passed peacefully at home with his wife and daughter at his side, after a five-year battle with colon cancer, the organization announced on January 1. He was 62.

Film Independent is dedicated to championing independent filmmakers and fostering a community for artists. Based in Los Angeles, the organization is best known for producing the annual Film Independent Spirit Awards, which celebrate independent films and filmmakers who push creative and industry boundaries.

Beyond the Spirit Awards, Film Independent provides a variety of resources and programs designed to support emerging and established filmmakers. These include Filmmaker Labs — covering screenwriting, directing, producing, and documentary filmmaking — which offer mentorship, workshops, and networking opportunities. The organization is also behind Project Involve, an intensive diversity initiative that supports underrepresented filmmakers through mentorship, grants, and industry connections, among other initiatives.

Variety was first to report the news.