Salute to Anil Kapoor

The Salute to Anil Kapoor will include screenings of his classic films LAMHE (1991) and VIRASAT (1997) as well as the world premiere of the English language version of GANDHI, MY FATHER (2007). Anil Kapoor produced the film, which explores the cost Mahatma Gandhi’s own family bore due to his efforts to free the nation of India.

Anil Kapoor who will be in attendance, first appeared on the big screen in HAMHARE TUMHARE in 1979. His first lead role followed four years later in the film WHO 7 DIN (1983). Kapoor has appeared in over 100 movies including LAMHE and VIRASAT, prior to his signature turn as the dynamic game show host, ‘Prem Kumar’ in SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE. Other notable titles include CHAMELI KI SHAADI (1986), MR. INDIA (1987), RAM LAKHAN (1989), EESHWAR (1989), TAAL (1999) and PUKAR (2000).

Closing Night Gala: Sunday, April 26th, 2009, 7:00 PM

The Closing Night Gala will wrap the seventh annual Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles up in style. A monumental evening indeed as this will be the first time in Festival history for a documentary to receive Gala presentation. Following the screening of Megan Doneman's YES MADAM, SIR, the reception will be held at a local Hollywood venue where guests can prepare to be mesmerized by a mix of eclectic Indian fusion dance sequences provided by Project Pulse and the rhythms of DJ Sandeep Kumar. Chakra Cuisine will deliver its refreshing twist on classic Indian cuisine while Malibu Family Wines and Western Liquors will provide the diverse libations for the evening.

'YES MADAM, SIR' film details can be viewed here.

IFFLA 2009 Industry Leadership Award Presented to Richard Fox and Amit Khanna

The Industry Leadership Award was created in 2008 to recognize the achievements of entertainment industry executives who have surmounted challenges to make Indian entertainment content a global phenomenon. This year we honor two individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership within the Indian entertainment community. Sharing the 2009 Industry Leadership Award are Richard Fox, Executive Vice President of Warner Bros International and Amit Khanna, Chairman of Reliance Big Entertainment.

Richard Fox has held his current post since 1992, having begun his career at Warner Bros. in 1975. As part of his responsibilities, he oversees the studio's local-language film production, acquisition and distribution activities in more than 20 countries around the world. He previously served as President of Warner Bros. Pictures International, where he headed the distribution of the studio's film product in all overseas markets. WBPI recently entered into a multi-picture deal with People Tree Productions, co-owned by noted director Nikhil Advani and also announced that it has entered the animated film arena with BIRD WITH A CAP, to be directed by Jyotin Goel and produced by Goel Screencraft. This past September, the company released Shona Urvashi's SAAS BAHU AUR SENSEX, its first locally distributed Indian film. Warner Bros. Pictures India has entered into an exclusive multi-picture deal with Soundarya Rajnikanth's Ocher Studios, covering the production and distribution of live-action South Indian language films. This strategic alliance expands Warner Bros.' local production business across all four southern Indian languages and, through strategic rights retention, builds the company's library of film and television titles.

Amit Khanna has been involved with media from an early age. He has worked in theatre, radio, television, journalism, and films. He started his film career as an Executive Producer and subsequently produced and directed feature films and over 3000 hours of television programming. He has written over 400 film and non-film songs and several film scripts. Khanna was the Managing Director of Plus Channel before joining Reliance Entertainment in 2000. He has served as the President of the Film Producers Guild of India and has been on the committee of the Indian Broadcasting Foundation, Indian Music Industry, and the Film Federation of India. Khanna oversees the diverse business at Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (R-ADAG) in the media & entertainment space where he is Chairman of Reliance Big Entertainment, the media arm of the $75 billion Ambani Group that recently completed its purchase of Dreamworks and announced that it would spend $1 billion on the Indian film and entertainment business.

The Industry Leadership Award was developed with the assistance of the Los Angeles based leading entertainment law boutique Raskin Peter Rubin & Simon, a full service entertainment industry law firm with global clients in the United States and India.