Nick Curwin, the founder of the British production houses Dragonfly and The Garden, has announced his retirement from the indie incubator Matisse, a venture that has become a notable supporter of independent film projects. Curwin’s departure marks the end of a career that has helped shape the British indie scene through his early work with Firefly and the later establishment of two influential production companies.

Under Curwin’s guidance, Matisse has backed a range of indie projects, most prominently Dan Grabiner’s Orchard Studios and James Longman’s Jolly Octopus, the production unit behind the UK version of Saturday Night Live. These collaborations have brought fresh creative voices to the screen and demonstrated Matisse’s commitment to nurturing emerging talent.

Following Curwin’s retirement, Matisse will be run solely by co‑founder Scarlett Ewens. Ewens has been a key figure in the incubator’s operations and is poised to continue its mission of supporting independent productions while steering the organization through its next phase of growth.

The transition is significant for the indie community because Curwin has long been a champion of independent storytelling, providing resources and mentorship that have enabled projects to reach wider audiences. With Ewens at the helm, Matisse is expected to maintain its focus on fostering new talent and delivering high‑quality content, ensuring that the incubator remains a vital platform for emerging filmmakers.