Reflecting the sluggish economy’s impact on the ad business, entries in the Film portion of this year’s Cannes International Advertising Festival are down a little more than 17 percent as compared to the number of entries in 2001. The Film competition has drawn 5,059 entries in ’02; last year’s festival had 6,117 Film entries….Matt Bijarchi has joined Young & Rubicam, Chicago, as senior VP/director of broadcast production….Director David Jellison has signed with bicoastal Cohn+ Company. He had been with bicoastal Tool of North America….Los Angeles-based Squeak Pictures has brought on directors Joel Peissig, Robin Willis, Rico Martinez, Michael Rooney, Cinque Henderson and Michael Rymer….Director Mike Miller has joined bicoastal Piper Productions….Rock Fight, the Los Angeles-based production house headed by principals/exec producers Ned Brown and Melissa White, has expanded its affiliation with Rose Hackney Barber (RHB), London. RHB had been a silent partner in Rock Fight since its launch a year ago. Per their newly struck deal, Rock Fight will represent RHB partners/directors Daniel Barber and Graham Rose, as well as directors Joe Roman and Sam Arthur, in the U.S. RHB will market Rock Fight director Pep Bosch in the U.K. Rock Fight also represents directors Duffy Culligan, James Frost and Alex Smith (the latter two previously directed as a team under the James & Alex moniker), as well as the helming duo Blue Source (a.k.a. Rob Leggatt and Leigh Marling)…..Editor Sarah Iben has come aboard Final Cut, New York….Director/cameraman Jerry Dugan has joined Highway 61, New York….Picture Park, Boston and Santa Monica, has announced the formation of Creature, a new music video division. Scott Kalvert will serve as exec producer; the new company has already signed its first director, Nathan Karma Cox, who will also be represented by Picture Park for spotwork….
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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