Film Independent, the non-profit arts organisation behind the upcoming 39th Spirit Awards, announced that Dan Stern has been elected to the board of directors. Stern is the founder and CEO of Reservoir Capital Group, as well as the Chairman of the Board of Film at Lincoln Centre (FLC). Additionally, it was announced that Chaz Ebert, Kasi Lemmons and Lulu Wang are joining the organisation’s Advisory Board. The announcement was made by Film Independent chair of the board of directors, Brenda Robinson.
Stern brings his passion for the arts and his acumen for fundraising and finance to the organisation’s board. In addition to his work with FLC and the New York Film Festival, he serves on other non-profit boards including The Actors’ Gang, and Lincoln Centre for the Performing Arts. He has participated in the formation and development of numerous business entities including most notably Starwood Capital, best known for creating and building Starwood Hotels and Resorts.
New advisory board appointee Ebert is a lawyer, producer and philanthropist and the CEO and publisher of Ebert Digital, which publishes RogerEbert.com. For many years she funded the Chaz and Roger Ebert Fellowship at the Spirit Awards and has also been a supporter of Project Involve, Film Independent’s program which recently celebrated 30 years of promoting diverse voices in creative storytelling. Lemmons is an award-winning director, writer, actress, and professor as well as a former Film Independent Board member and officer, who won a Spirit Award for her debut feature Eve’s Bayou in 1998. Wang is a Film Independent Fellow (2014 Project Involve), the recipient of the 2014 Chaz and Roger Ebert Directing Fellowship, and won Best Feature at the 2020 Spirit Awards for her film The Farewell.
Regarding new board member Stern, Robinson said “Dan brings extraordinary value to the board. His passion and experience in the non-profit arts space, coupled with his expertise in the financial sector, make him uniquely well-suited to help us navigate the ever-evolving economic realities and challenges that face artists and the arts today. A long-time supporter of Film Independent, we are thrilled to have him join us in this official capacity and welcome his continued support of our mission in amplifying independent storytelling.” With respect to their three new advisory board members, Robinson stated, “It is a privilege to welcome three dynamic and talented industry vets to our Advisory Board. Chaz, Kasi and Lulu are at the forefront of independent artistry and each brings a unique and valuable perspective and knowledge to our organisation.”
A respected entertainment attorney, producer and philanthropist, Robinson has been chair of the board of directors since 2022. She successfully steered the organisation through the latter half of the pandemic, helping identify new allies, new opportunities in virtual programming, and global initiatives that have helped put the organisation on a secure strategic and financial track.
“Under Brenda’s visionary leadership, the Film Independent doard and advisory board have been our bulwark as we navigate the challenges facing arts non-profits today,” said Film Independent president Josh Welsh. “With her strategic acumen and commitment to collaboration, she continues to strengthen Film Independent’s foothold in the independent creative community. The addition of Dan’s voice and perspective will further energise our continued mission and its impact. Furthermore, we are so pleased to have Chaz, Kasi and Lulu bring their extensive experience to our advisory board.”
