At press time, SHOOT received word that industry vet Sam Schapiro had passed away. He was 69. Schapiro had a hand in co-founding such production houses over the years as Johns+Gorman Films (now JGF, Hollywood), and now defunct shops DeSort & Sam and Harmony Pictures. He last served as president of Johns+Gorman before departing that company in 1998….Director Andrew Christou, formerly of now defunct Propaganda Films, has joined bicoastal Moxie Pictures….Director Kerry Shaw Brown has come aboard Atlas Pictures, Santa Monica…. September Productions, New York, has opened a satellite called Lunch tv, New York, which will rep directors E.J. Foerster, Steven Shainberg and Neil Salley….Former tomandandy staffers Scott Brittingham, Mitch Davis and Steve Mac have formed Pull, a New York-based music and sound design shop. Brittingham will serve as executive producer, with Davis and Mac as composer and sound designer/engineer, respectively….Hollywood-headquartered animation studio Klasky Csupo has formed Klasky Csupo Broadcast Design and named Sam Schoemann, formerly of Santa Monica-based Fuel, as the division’s exec producer. John Andrews, senior VP of the Klasky Csupo spot divisions—Class-Key Chew-Po Commercials (animation) and ka-chew! (live action)—said that the company decided to return to a higher profile in broadcast design due to emerging opportunities in the marketplace….Anastacia Feldman has been promoted from head of production to executive producer of digital visual effects studio Radium, San Francisco. She will work closely with Steve Schofield, Radium’s exec producer in Santa Monica…Stuart Shook has been named managing director of Irvine, Calif.-based editorial/design/finishing house stun gun…..Composers Greg Kuhn and Tommy O’Brien have joined the staff of Stompbox Music and Sound Design, Santa Monica….Venice, Calif.-based original motion graphics design/production house mOcean, best known in the theatrical and broadcast arenas, has diversified into commercials with projects for Sony PlayStation and Toyota, as well as children’s healthcare and anti-smoking PSAs….Creative services agency Archipelago, with offices in New York, Los Angeles and Denver, has been launched under the aegis of founder Lori Pate. Specializing in branding, promotion, design, production and interactive endeavors for broadcast and ad clientele, the new venture also features broadcast design vet Lee Hunt, designer Dale Herigstad, and two former colleagues of Pate at 3 Ring Circus, Los Angeles—Jeff Boortz and Elaine Cantwell….
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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