Word is that director Clay Williams—formerly half of the Chuck & Clay helming duo—is joining bicoastal Morton Jankel Zander for exclusive representation. As earlier reported, Chuck & Clay decided to go solo as directors—and Chuck Bennett, Williams’ long-time partner, initially as an agency creative (most notably at TBWA/Chiat/Day, Los Angeles) and then as a co-director, opted to stay at Crossroads Films, bicoastal and Chicago (SHOOT, 2/15, p. 1)….Jim Evans, formerly executive producer at Extension Films, a division of now defunct Propaganda Films, has partnered with director Geoffrey Barish, another Extension alumnus, to launch Untitled, Santa Monica. Also on staff at the new venture is director Graeme Joyce, who had been repped by Extension. Barish has wrapped two jobs under the new banner: Chevy Avalanche’s "Fanatic" out of Campbell-Ewald, Warren, Mich., which aired during the Olympics, as well as a five-spot campaign shot in Sydney for Merrill Lynch via J. Walter Thompson, New York….John RA Benson has joined Vinton Studios, Portland, Ore., as head of its computer animation department. He formerly served at Industrial Light+Magic, San Rafael, Calif., as head of the commercial division’s computer animation department….Animation directors Aaron Augenblick, Divya Srinivasan, Jeff Drew, Nina Paley and the team of Joe Russo and Aaron White have come aboard Film Roman Commercials, the spot operation of North Hollywood-based animation studio Film Roman….
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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