The Screen Actors Guild has determined that voting irregularities were significant enough to invalidate the union’s November election results for SAG president, recording secretary and treasurer. Per the November vote tally, Melissa Gilbert had beaten out Valerie Harper in a contentious election, with Elliot Gould being elected secretary and Kent McCord treasurer. A new election is tentatively slated to be held in March or April….Director Josh Taft, formerly of now defunct Satellite, has come aboard bicoastal HSI Productions….Marcel Langenegger has signed with Biscuit Filmworks, Los Angeles. He had been most recently repped by now defunct Propaganda Films….German director Charley Stadler has signed with Santa Monica-based Plum Productions for exclusive U.S. representation….Rick Hess—formerly president of the aforementioned Propaganda, where he headed the film, TV and management departments and oversaw the commercial and music video operations—has surfaced as an agent in the feature film department of Beverly Hills-headquartered talent agency CAA. Prior to serving as president of Propaganda for two years, Hess was head of production at Culver City, Calif.-based feature company Phoenix Pictures….Michael Pollock has been named executive producer at Grain, the interactive production division of New York-based Charlex….Director Bronston Jones has joined Electric Avenue Films, Marina del Rey, Calif. He comes over from NBC’s in-house agency, where he served as a writer and director….Executive producers Patti and David Coulter, formerly of Tropix Films, have launched BeachHouse Films, Santa Monica. The new shop’s roster includes several directors from the Tropix roost: Richard Taylor, Harry Karidis, Larry Carroll and Martin Shewchuk. BeachHouse also handles helmers Scott McCullough and Bob Marden. Tropix was formed in June 2000 as a satellite of Santa Monica-based Atlas Pictures. In fall ’01, the Coulters mutually decided with Atlas to close Tropix—this paved the way for the two executive producers to open their own independent company, BeachHouse….Formerly with Click3X, Atlanta, animation artists John Ryan and Robert Pope have launched visual effects company Dagnabit! animation, Atlanta….
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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