Jess Search, co-founder of Doc Society, has died of brain aged 54.
Search was involved in many projects over the years including the, the famous Edward Snowden film Citizenfour, and The End of the Line.
After five years commissioning documentaries for Channel 4, Search founded the documentary foundation in 2005.
Through Doc Society, Search helped filmmakers around the world to fund and make important documentaries.
The Doc Society said in a statement announcing Search’s death: ‘Jess lived fully these last few weeks. In characteristic humour, she responded to her diagnosis by considering herself a ‘Lucky F****r’, having lived a life of purpose on her own terms.
‘She continued to send late-night voice memos, order rounds of margaritas, and bring together an amalgam of global comrades around the shared mission of vital system-shifting narrative work to change the world for the better.
‘To the horror of some, she did all this while sporting a pair of hot pink Crocs, with socks and jibbitz, in glorious contrast to her trademark white suit she rocked at Good Pitches all over the world.’
The organisation said a celebration of Search’s life will take place in the coming months.
‘A beloved partner and parent, a brilliant friend, an industry catalyst, master campaigner, consummate producer, preternatural public convener, and mentor to many, Jess leaves a global family who we know will continue to speak out on injustice, challenge the status quo and live lives of purpose with love in their hearts.
‘We consider ourselves to be Lucky F****rs to stand beside all of you.’
Search announced her illness last month, and said the organisation would carry on under five co-leaders.
On Twitter, while announcing Search’s death, the Doc Soceity said her greatest wish was to address the ‘two critical and intertwined issues of climate change and democracies in crisis’.
The legendary producer was said to have lived to the ‘fullest’ over her final few weeks, and at the end was surrounded by the love of her life Beadie Finzi, their children Ella and Ben, and friends.
Admirers have flocked to leave their tributes for Search, as Sue Perkins wrote: ‘I’ve never known another human be more resolutely themselves. I marvelled at her; her authenticity and fearlessness – her charm and her strength.
‘I owe her more than I can say. She made me feel it was ok to be who I was, at a time when I felt nothing but shame. Love to all who loved her.’
Another said: ‘This is a terrible tragedy. Jess was an extraordinary, generous, creative & unforgettable woman. The work she leaves behind is testament to that. As Chief Exec of BRITDOC she supported brave & beautiful films. In tribute, I urge you all to watch Virunga.’
Someone else commented: ‘Anyone who ever met Jess Search knew what a magnificent force of nature she was. RIP.’
Another poignant tribute read: ‘I’m absolutely gutted by this. Jess was really one in a million. Just two weeks ago we were drinking at the back of the India Club and I told her, in a very emotional unBritish way, that she was both a mentor and truly one of the most inspirational people I’ve ever met. X’
