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[On June 3, No Mask Media launches its first production: Mayana Meditations. The new independent podcast label was founded by Manon van der Knaap-Hartig, known for her work in building podcast portfolios at Bnr and Dpg Media, two leading Dutch commercial media organizations. With No Mask Media, she shifts focus to the next phase: intentional, meaningful audio.

The weekly English-language series embraces silence, authenticity, and sensory calm — a deliberate contrast to the noise of constant opinions, information, and self-improvement narratives.

“People want to simply be, without masks,” says Van der Knaap-Hartig. “When nothing has to be suppressed, things start to move.”

The voice of the podcast is Mayana: a voice alchemist and international speaker with over 20 years of experience in consciousness work. She has worked with thousands across the globe and shared stages with figures such as Deepak Chopra, Neale Donald Walsch, and Masaru Emoto.

“We are chronically overstimulated,” says Mayana. “This podcast is a gentle prompt to reconnect with presence — beneath the pressure to constantly improve.”

For Brands: Less Noise, More Resonance

Mayana Meditations fits within a broader shift toward slower, purpose-driven content.

Exclusive: The Thessaloniki International Film Festival’s industry-focused Agora section has selected 15 projects from 17 countries for this year’s Crossroads Co-production Forum. Scroll down for the full list of projects.

Hailing from across southeastern Europe and the Mediterranean region, the projects are in various stages of development. The selection features debut and sophomore feature films alongside more experienced directors.

Among the notable projects is the latest feature film by prolific Romanian director Adrian Sitaru. There are also sophomore film projects from Yorgos Goussis, Kaltrina Krasniqi, Diego Llorente, Nikola Mijović, Ahu Ozturk, Sonia Liza Kenterman, and Ahmad Ghossein. Debut feature filmmakers are Neritan Zinxhiria and Thelyia Petraki.

The selected projects hail from countries including the Czech Republic, Slovakia, France, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Jordan, Kosovo*, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia, Palestine, Romania, Spain, and Turkey. This year’s selection was co-curated by an advisory committee featuring industry consultant Thibaut Bracq...

The ‘Miss India’ 2022 Sini Shetty was in her element as she walked the ramp and turned showstopper for ‘The Story Brand’ in the ongoing Bombay Times Fashion Week 2024. Sini walked for the ‘Etoile’ collection of ‘The Story Brand’ owned by Mayana Rajani.

With its pastel hues, and silhouettes, this collection boasts of capes, lehengas, sarees and tunics. It embodies sophistication and elegance, making fashion accessible to all. It is a tribute to the subtle grandeur and offers a fresh perspective on contemporary fashion.

Sini oozed elegance and grace in an ivory halter neck choli with intricate details on it. It was paired with a matching lehenga, and a transparent dupatta.

For the makeup she went all glammed up– nude brown glossy lips, silver eyeshadow, kohl-rimmed eyes, and thick brows. Her hair is tied in a stylish bun. The outfit was rounded off with big emerald colour earrings.

Talking about the collection,...