Boutique Film, a Hollywood-based production company recently launched by executive producer Noelle Whitfield and director Marcos Zavitsanos, has secured independent reps Sandra Riley to handle the West Coast and Mary Ida Bonadio to cover the Midwest….Delores Hively and Dawn Schiffman have launched Buzz Management, New York. The new repping firm will handle East Coast sales for director Bob Giraldi of bicoastal GSP; bicoastal production company Playroom; Bikini Edit, New York; and bicoastal music shop Agent Jackson….Rich Schafler and Lori Benson of Benson/Schafler, New York, are handling East Coast sales for Shadow Pictures, New York, and directors Laura Belsy and Tom De Nolf…. Grace Silverstein of Santa Monica-based independent rep firm Reel Grace has been named to cover the West Coast and Texas for editorial house Pistolera Post, Santa Monica….Robin Fried and Richard Fink of R2, New York, will rep on the East Coast for Transistor Studios, a Hollywood shop maintained by Backyard Productions, Venice, Calif., and Chicago. Transistor specializes in cross-platform branding and entertainment, creating design for broadcast, the Web, DVD and print….Monica Zevallos, formerly a production manager at Colibri Films, Los Angeles, has joined Santa Monica-headquartered Ascent Media Creative Services Group as an account executive. Her initial focus will be to attract more postproduction work from Hispanic-oriented ad agencies in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Mexico….Veronica Lombardo, formerly with Partos Company, Los Angeles, has joined bicoastal New York Office. She will head its West Coast commercial and music video division, working out of Los Angeles-based New York Office/LA….Rana Martin has joined New York editorial house 3 Fingered Louie as director of marketing/producer….Danixa Diaz has been named executive producer, responsible for new business development and global marketing, at 3 Ring Circus, Los Angeles.…Red Truck Films, Raleigh, N.C., will represent director Kreg Lauterbach in the Southeast….Cinematographer Mandy Walker has signed with Beverly Hills, Calif.-headquartered ICM for representation in all areas….DP Robert Gantz has joined The Mirisch Agency, Los Angeles, for exclusive representation….DP Checco Varese and production designer Susan Linss are now repped by the Lyons• Sheldon•Prosnit Agency, Los Angeles. Also, DP Michael Bernard and production designer Damien Byrne have finished the feature film Haven and are again available exclusively through Lyons•Sheldon•Prosnit….DP Serge Roman and costume designer Roger K. Burton have signed with Santa Monica-based Below The Line Artists for spots and music videos….
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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