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FILM INDEPENDENT INC

EIN 95-3943485 LOS ANGELES, CA

Revenue 2024
$19,150,546
Expenses 2024
$18,866,656

Program services were 86.3% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

As filed

Subsection
03
NTEE code
A310
Classification
1000
Street
5670 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD 9TH FLOOR

These codes are the IRS's own and are shown exactly as filed. What each one means is in the Business Master File documentation (opens in a new tab).

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

TO CHAMPION CREATIVE INDEPENDENCE IN VISUAL STORYTELLING IN ALL ITS FORMS AND TO FOSTER A CULTURE OF INCLUSION. WE SUPPORT A GLOBAL COMMUNITY OF ARTISTS AND AUDIENCES WHO EMBODY DIVERSITY, INNOVATION, CURIOSITY AND UNIQUENESS OF VISION.

Activities or mission (Part I)

TO SUPPORT INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS AND TO PROMOTE INDEPENDENT FILMMAKING TO THE PUBLIC.

  • ARTIST DEVELOPMENTFILM INDEPENDENT'S ARTIST DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS ARE INCUBATORS FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF BOLD, ORIGINAL VISUAL STORYTELLERS WORKING IN FILM AND TELEVISION, FICTION AND NON-FICTION. AMONG THE PROGRAMS WE OFFER:-PROJECT INVOLVE IS A HANDS-ON PROGRAM THAT HAS SUPPORTED OVER 1,000 FILMMAKERS OVER THE PAST 30 YEARS, THROUGH MENTORSHIP, MASTERCLASSES AND SHORT FILM PRODUCTION. AT LEAST 31 FILMMAKERS PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAM IN FY25.-THE FILMMAKER LABS PRODUCING, SCREENWRITING, EPISODIC, DOCUMENTARY PROVIDE MENTORSHIP AND TRAINING ON THE BUSINESS OF FILMMAKING, AS WELL AS ROBUST FEEDBACK ON FILMMAKERS' CURRENT PROJECTS.-FAST TRACK IS A HIGHLY CURATED FILM FINANCE MARKET, DESIGNED TO HELP PRODUCER-DIRECTOR TEAMS ADVANCE THEIR PROJECTS. FILM INDEPENDENT FACILITATES UP TO 60 MEETINGS FOR FELLOWS WITH TOP EXECUTIVES, FINANCIERS, PACKAGING AGENTS, DISTRIBUTORS, PRODUCTION COMPANIES AND OTHERS. -FISCAL SPONSORSHIP ALLOWS PARTICIPANTS TO UTILIZE THE NON-PROFIT STATUS OF FILM INDEPENDENT TO ACCESS GRANTS FROM FOUNDATIONS, INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS AND GOVERNMENT FUNDING. IT SUPPORTS FULLY INDEPENDENT PRODUCTIONS THAT REFLECT FILM INDEPENDENT'S MISSION TO FOSTER UNIQUE PERSPECTIVES AND A DIVERSITY OF CONTENT AND CREATORS. AS PART OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS, EVERY APPLICANT MUST DEMONSTRATE HOW THEIR PROJECT ALIGNS WITH THE MISSION, WHICH IS CONSIDERED IN EVALUATING ELIGIBILITY FOR THE PROGRAM. AT THE END OF FY25, FISCAL SPONSORSHIP HAD APPROXIMATELY 595 ACTIVE PROJECTS, WITH 231 OF THOSE JOINING THE PROGRAM BETWEEN OCTOBER 1, 2024 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2025.

    Expenses $8,676,439 · Grants $610,800 · Revenue $1,666,775

  • MEMBERSHIP, PROGRAMMING AND EDUCATION SERVICES FILM INDEPENDENT IS AN OPEN-ACCESS MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATION WITH 8,290 MEMBERS IN FY25, FROM 50 STATES AND 71 COUNTRIES. TO OUR MEMBERS WE OFFER ROBUST EDUCATIONAL AND FILM PROGRAMMING.-FILM INDEPENDENT PRESENTS SCREENING SERIES (92 UNIQUE EVENTS, AUDIENCE OF 27,499)-THE DIRECTORS CLOSE-UP CONVERSATIONS ON THE ART OF DIRECTING WITH THE YEAR'S TOP FILMMAKERS (ONLINE)-FILM INDEPENDENT FORUM (CONFERENCE FOR WORKING INDEPENDENT PRODUCERS ON THE BUSINESS OF FILMMAKING (IN PERSON) -GLOBAL MEDIA MAKERS FOCUSES ON THE BUSINESS AND COMMERCIAL ASPECTS OF THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY, CONNECTING MID-CAREER INTERNATIONAL FILMMAKERS WITH LEADING U.S. PROFESSIONALS AND SHOWCASING U.S. INNOVATION, STORYTELLING, AND ENTREPRENEURIAL PRACTICES.-THE CINEBRIDGE FELLOWSHIP IS AN INITIATIVE DESIGNED FOR MID-CAREER INTERNATIONAL WRITER-DIRECTORS WHO ARE CREATING GENRE FILMS THAT CAN TRANSCEND BORDERS WITH BROAD GLOBAL APPEAL.-RED SEA FEATURE FILM PROJECT, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE RED SEA FOUNDATION, FILM INDEPENDENT DESIGNS AND DELIVERS AN INTENSIVE, MULTI-PHASE RESIDENCY PROGRAM FEATURING THREE IN-PERSON WORKSHOPS AND SEVERAL VIRTUAL SESSIONS FOR PARTICIPANTS FROM AFRICA AND ASIA.-YEAR-ROUND WORKSHOPS ON SPECIFIC TOPICS OF INTEREST TO FILMMAKERS AND FILM LOVERS (IN PERSON AND ONLINE)

    Expenses $4,127,942 · Grants $27,157 · Revenue $2,941,004

  • 2025 FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDSTHE PREMIERE AWARDS SHOW CELEBRATING THE BEST OF INDEPENDENT FILM AND TELEVISION, THE FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS SHINES A LIGHT ON FILMMAKERS WHOSE WORK EMBODIES UNIQUENESS OF VISION, ORIGINAL, PROVOCATIVE SUBJECT MATTER, DIVERSITY, AND ECONOMY OF MEANS. FOR OVER 40 YEARS THIS SHOW HAS DONE MORE THAN ANY OTHER SINGLE EVENT TO PUT INDEPENDENT FILM ON THE CULTURAL MAP AND IN THE PUBLIC CONSCIOUSNESS. THE SPIRIT AWARDS EXEMPLIFIES THE WORK OF TALENTED EMERGING AND ESTABLISHED TALENT, AND CELEBRATES THE BEST OF FICTION AND NON-FICTION WORK IN BOTH FILM AND TELEVISION. -ONLINE SCREENING OF NOMINATED FILMS AND SHOWS FOR MEMBERS (@ 65 TITLES) -VOTING MEMBERS OF FILM INDEPENDENT: 8,580 -IN-PERSON AWARD SHOW: 1,200 ATTENDEES

    Expenses $3,481,855 · Grants $75,000 · Revenue $2,986,283

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Officers and directors · 2024

As listed in Part VII of the 2024 return, in the order the filer printed them. Each return names its own; this is not a roster the organization keeps with us.

  • JOSH WELSH

    PRESIDENT (UNTIL DEC 24)

    Total calculated
    $320,362
    From this org
    $294,133
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $26,229
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $294,133
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $26,229
    Filer's total
    $320,362

  • VALECIA PHILLIPS

    DIRECTOR OF FINANCE/OPER.

    Total calculated
    $187,971
    From this org
    $174,493
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $13,478
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $174,493
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $13,478
    Filer's total
    $187,971

  • KATHRYN WALKER

    SENIOR DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

    Total calculated
    $196,014
    From this org
    $173,179
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $22,835
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $173,179
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $22,835
    Filer's total
    $196,014

  • MARIA BOZZI-RAHAMAD

    SR.DIRECTOR EDUC/INT'L PROGRAMS

    Total calculated
    $179,536
    From this org
    $164,942
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $14,594
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $164,942
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $14,594
    Filer's total
    $179,536

  • ALINE LOUSTAUNAU

    DIRECTOR OF MARKETING

    Total calculated
    $157,989
    From this org
    $137,467
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $20,522
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $137,467
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $20,522
    Filer's total
    $157,989

  • MONIQUE COLEMAN

    SR.DIRECTOR OF HR/ADMIN

    Total calculated
    $154,568
    From this org
    $132,571
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $21,997
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $132,571
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $0
    Nontaxable benefits
    $21,997
    Filer's total
    $154,568

  • SHAWN DAVIS

    EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, SPIRIT

    Total calculated
    $146,371
    From this org
    $136,050
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $10,321
    Hours/week
    40

  • BRENDA ROBINSON

    ACTING PRESIDENT (FEB 25-SEP 25)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • ERIC D'ARBELOFF

    ACTING BOARD CHAIR (FEB 25-SEP 25)

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • VONDIE CURTIS-HALL

    EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER-AT-LARGE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • ED RADA

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • ANDREA SPERLING

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • ADRIENE BOWLES

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • ALAN POUL

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • ALIX MADIGAN-YORKIN

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • BRENDA GILBERT

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • CATHY SCHULMAN

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • COL NEEDHAM

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • DAN STERN

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • DAVID LINDE

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • GAIL MUTRUX

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • JAVIER FUENTES-LEON

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • JEFFREY SOROS

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • KARYN KUSAMA

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

  • LAURA KIM

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    5

The first 25 listed. Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us. Earlier years are each on their own filing page.

Filings

  • 2024
    Revenue
    $19,150,546
    Expenses
    $18,866,656
    Contributions
    $11,200,064
    Grants paid
    $712,957
  • 2022
    Revenue
    $19,440,991
    Expenses
    $18,955,082
    Contributions
    $12,566,588
    Grants paid
    $632,500

The four totals the IRS asks for on Part I of the Form 990, as filed. A dash means the figure was not present on the return — not that it was zero.

Other returns filed

  • 2022 · 990-T

    Revenue
    not reported
    Expenses
    not reported
    Assets (EOY)
    not reported

  • 2021 · 990

    Revenue
    $17,498,040
    Expenses
    $17,757,109
    Assets (EOY)
    $6,642,446

  • 2021 · 990-T

    Revenue
    not reported
    Expenses
    not reported
    Assets (EOY)
    not reported

  • 2020 · 990

    Revenue
    $11,527,723
    Expenses
    $9,398,478
    Assets (EOY)
    $7,465,634

  • 2020 · 990-T

    Revenue
    not reported
    Expenses
    not reported
    Assets (EOY)
    not reported

  • 2019 · 990

    Revenue
    $13,263,298
    Expenses
    $11,161,522
    Assets (EOY)
    $4,872,019

  • 2019 · 990

    Revenue
    $12,341,472
    Expenses
    $11,223,519
    Assets (EOY)
    $4,678,512

  • 2018 · 990

    Revenue
    $11,123,880
    Expenses
    $12,959,325
    Assets (EOY)
    $2,567,191

  • 2017 · 990

    Revenue
    $10,792,549
    Expenses
    $12,331,397
    Assets (EOY)
    $4,820,112

  • 2016 · 990

    Revenue
    $11,450,287
    Expenses
    $10,525,289
    Assets (EOY)
    $5,591,424

Nonprofiteer parses Forms 990, 990-EZ and 990-PF, in a window of recent tax years. These returns are recorded from the IRS e-file index, so their figures were extracted by that index rather than read from the return here — treat them as a different source from the filings above, not as more of the same record. A dash means the index carries no figure; Form 990-T listings carry none at all. Showing the 10 most recent; the API carries the rest.

Grants made

The 10 largest by cash amount. The API serves every itemized grant.

Where these grants went next →

Grants received

The 10 largest by cash amount. The API serves every itemized grant.

Taxable family

From Schedule R Parts I, III and IV: entities that legally are the filer, and taxable partnerships, corporations and trusts it is related to. These record ownership and control, not shared board members or money.

Disregarded entities on its 2024 return

Other IRS files

Auto-Revocation List

Not listed. The IRS publishes this list for organizations whose exemption was automatically revoked for failing to file for three consecutive years.

Publication 78

Listed as of 13 October 2026, under deductibility PC.

These are two separate IRS files on two separate schedules, shown as published and not reconciled with each other. Neither is a statement about whether a contribution is deductible today: 19,245 organizations appear in Publication 78 while the IRS's own revocation file lists them as currently revoked, more than half of those revoked before 2019. Absence from Publication 78 is evidence of nothing, and presence is not evidence either. Verify current status with the IRS before relying on it.

What this page reflects

The registration facts above come from the IRS Business Master File published 13 October 2026 and read 26 October 2026, for every organization at once. Returns through tax year 2024, the newest we have parsed for this organization.