Josh Welsh, president Film Independent, has died after a five-year battle with colon cancer, the US industry organisation has confirmed.

He died peacefully at his home on December 31. His age was not given, though it has been reported as 62.

Welsh began volunteering at the Spirit Awards, the popular ceremony staged by the non-profit independent film-making group, in 1996, before joining the group’s staff more than 20 years ago. He became president of the organisation in 2012, overseeing all programmes and operations, deepening strategic partnerships with studios, NGOs and governments and increasing the group’s international reach by partnering with the US State...