Changes At The Helm
Giraldi Gets Honey Of An Honor; Signings at MRB, Prodigy, Annex
Director Bob Giraldi, a commercialmaking veteran, has seen his short film Honey Trap become a Remi Award winner for creative excellence at the 39th annual Worldfest-Houston. In addition to receiving the Remi Award, Giraldi will be honored by having the film screened at the festival itself, which runs from April 21-30. Honey Trap is what director/writer Giraldi described as a “cold, dark story of sex, betrayal and murder.” The short, which stars Debbie Harry, Abbey Fox and Ewan Ross, was produced through 149 Wooster, a New York shop Giraldi formed with Patti Greaney and Carol Case, to develop and produce films. Case and Adam Cohen executive produced Honey Trap, with Greaney, Bryan Littman and Emily Plunkett serving as producers. The short was shot by DP Jonathan Sela using the Grass Valley Viper Filmstream digital cinematography camera…..MRB Productions, Beverly Hills, has added director Michael Wang. He joins a directorial roster that includes Mark Teitelman, Rico Labbe, Jeremy Haft, Brian O’Connell and Gary Califano. Wang’s previous production house affiliations include V12, Santa Monica, Trio Films, Venice, Calif., and now defunct Cognito Films. At the latter, he directed Bud Light’s “Centerfold” for Dieste & Partners, Dallas; the spot was short-listed at the 2001 Cannes International Advertising Festival…..Director Michael Gracey has joined Prodigy, a production company with offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland. His reel contains a mix of animation and live-action for such ad clients as Mitsubishi, McDonald’s and Cadbury. Gracey’s music video work includes clips for the Wil Young and the band Sugarbabes . He has also directed live shows at London’s Wembley arena. Prodigy is headed by owner/exec producer Jonathan Samway…..Director Miles Goodall of Suburban Films, Cape Town, South Africa, has linked with Annex Films, London, for representation in the U.K. He is repped stateside via The A List, New York. Earlier this year, the Goodall-directed “Village/Old Man” for AIDS Awareness via TBWA, Paris, won a Gold World Medal at the New York Festivals…..
India’s Official Oscar Entry, Which Failed To Make The Cut, Tops Bollywood Awards Show With 10 Wins
The film that was submitted as India's official Oscar entry but failed to make the final list of nominees has swept the International Indian Film Academy Awards, which recognize outstanding work in the country's film industry.
Director Kiran Rao's critically acclaimed "Laapataa Ladies" — renamed "Lost Ladies" for its Oscar campaign — emerged as the biggest winner at the 2025 IIFA Awards, bagging 10 wins, including best picture and best direction.
The 2023 comedy is about two veiled brides who are accidentally swapped during a train ride, and tackles issues of patriarchy and gender roles, a shift from decades of male-centered mainstream Indian movies.
"It's a rare privilege to win an award for a film like 'Laapataa Ladies.' It's been a wonderful night. It's a rare privilege to make a film like this," Rao said in her acceptance speech.
Rao's film — a rare departure from most Bollywood films, which typically feature song-and-dance routines, violence and melodrama — also won in categories for best story, best screenplay and best actress in a leading role.
The annual ceremony of IIFA began in the western city of Jaipur on Saturday and concluded Sunday.
Indian cinema's most recognizable names took part in the glitzy event and Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and actor Shahid Kapoor were among those who performed at the ceremony. The event was hosted by veteran director and producer Karan Johar and actor Kartik Aaryan.
The awards show also presents an opportunity for Indian celebrities to showcase their fashion, and this year was no exception. Notable figures such as Madhuri Dixit, Katrina Kaif and Kareena Kapoor Khan displayed their fashion choices on the green carpet.
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