Feature film (Laurel Canyon, High Art) and episodic TV (Push Nevada) director Lisa Cholodenko has signed with Palomar Pictures, Los Angeles, for representation in all areas, including commercials….Fearless Music, under the aegis of owner/composer Jamie Lamm, has gone bicoastal. The longstanding New York company has opened a Los Angeles office. Signed for the newly christened Fearless Music West are recording industry vets, composers/producers/musicians….Bob Kulick and Billy Sherwood….Sound designer Taso Ekonomou has joined Ultra Sound—the audio division of New York-headquartered The Napoleon Group….Editor Erin Norstrom has joined Venice, Calif.-based The Big House. She most recently cut the documentary I am Trying to Break Your Heart, featuring rock band Wilco. Previously, she edited in-house for agency Ground Zero, Marina del Rey, Calif…. U.K.-headquartered Cintel International, known for such fare as its C-Reality telecine line, has purchased key assets and intellectual property rights of another U.K.-based telecine manufacturer, Innovation TK (ITK). Stuart Hunt, who’s been responsible for much of the technology to come out of ITK in recent years, joins Cintel as technical director. He will work closely with Cintel’s R&D team and plans to ensure the continuity and support of ITK’s Millennium and Millennium Lite telecines, as well as its Y-Front, Twigi and Scan’dal machines….Michael Cook, formerly co-owner of The Film Business, Sydney, has been named CEO/exec producer of Filmgraphics, the Sydney house launched in 1964 by director David Denneen. As a spot helmer, Denneen is repped stateside by bicoastal Anonymous Content….Director/cinematographer Carolyn Chen—whose spot roost is bicoastal/international Believe Media, received the Kodak Vision Award during last week’s Women In Film Crystal & Lucy Awards 2002 in Los Angeles. The Vision Award recognizes outstanding achievement in cinematography and directing as well as Chen’s collaboration with and assistance to women in the entertainment industry……Director Marcus Nispel is again available for spots at bicoastal/international Morton Jankel Zander after principal photography was wrapped on his feature directorial debut, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. New Line Cinema is slated to release the film on Oct. 31……
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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