The organization was founded in 1979, by the New York-based organization
Independent Feature Project, which was later renamed as
The Gotham Film & Media Institute,
Gregory Nava and
Anna Thomas and a small semi-informal group of directors-filmmakers, writers and producers began to regularly meet, share knowledge and support each other's projects, and would be known as Independent Feature Project/West
. Robert "Bob" Rosen, former Dean of the
UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, was one of the founding board members. In 1984, the FINDIE Awards (Friends of Independents) were conceived by Independent Features Project/West board member Jeanne Lucas and Independent Features Project/West President Anne Kimmel and director/writer Sam O'Brien was an event producer. Barbara Boyle was Independent Features Project/West president from 1994 to 1999. By 2001,
Independent Features Project/West became
Film Independent. The name Film Independent was adopted in 2005. In the late summer, we open up for submissions. Individual filmmakers and studios and distributors send their films to us. We assemble nominating committees in the fall. They’re composed of many different people within the industry. Josh Welsh served as president of Film Independent from 2012 until his death on December 31, 2024, from colon cancer at age 62. At the
40th Independent Spirit Awards, acting president Brenda Robinson delivered a heartfelt tribute to Welsh, and honored the "visionary". Welsh was remembered for his immense contributions to the organization and the film community. == Ceremonies ==