Director Robert Black has joined bicoastal Coppos Films. He just wrapped his first job at his new roost, a three-spot State Farm campaign for DDB Chicago. At press time, Black was about to embark on filming in Spain for a Korean spot promoting the Hyundai line of automobiles; that shoot is being facilitated by Errecerre, a production house in Barcelona and Madrid, with which Coppos has a reciprocal production/representation relationship. Black was formerly represented by Hollywood-based Orbit Productions…After 96 years, the St. Louis office of D’Arcy is shutting its doors…. Editor William Senia has joined Slingshot Edit and Post, New York….Composer/performing artist Victor Bisetti of the band Los Lobos has joined Santa Monica music/sound design house Primal Scream….Editor Don Kleszy has come on board The Well…. New York-based post house Edgeworx has opened an offfice in London….Portland, Ore.-headquartered Vinton Studios has hired Al Cubillas as director of digital production….Veteran production exec Ava Seavey has launched Avalanche, a New York-based production/creative services boutique. The new venture exclusively represents directors Tony Lee, Kathy Da Silva and Ben Dolphin. Seavey formerly served as executive producer at Big Picture Communications, New York….Kodak Entertainment Imaging, Hollywood, has promoted two senior staffers. D. Brian Spruill has been upped to VP/director of strategic planning and business development. Michael J. Morelli, a general manager for the Entertainment Imaging division in Australia and New Zealand since ’99, will assume Spruill’s former role as VP/general manager of the Hollywood region (overseeing the company’s operations in Southern California and 11 Western states). Spruill served in that capacity since ’94. In his new position, Spruill will be responsible for developing, implementing and coordinating a worldwide global strategy for the company’s film, digital and hybrid motion imaging technologies, products and services….
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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