International
14 films to get Screen Australia funding
MUMBAI: Fourteen multi-platform projects have planned to support Screen Australia, the Australian screen funding body.
Among the projects is an application (app) based on ABC kids show DirtGirlWorld as well as a film noir motion comic, interactive documentary and augmented reality app. Between the two programs, 89 applications were received with 27 applications for multi-platform production and 62 for digital ignition.
The funds support digital and small screen narrative content in both linear and non linear forms. The projects, supported through the Digital Ignition funds and Multi-platform Production, was formerly titled All Media Production.
In a statement, Screen Australia‘s chief executive Ruth Harley said, “We‘re thrilled with the volume and quality of applications we received as awareness grows of our support for content creators to capitalise on the fast-moving digital landscape.”
“We have both new talent and established players collaborating and telling stories through interactive documentary, games, web series, apps and multi-platform television.”
Of the 14 titles, nine come from the Digital Ignition fund while the five others are from the Multi-platform Production.
International
Russia-India cinematic spectacle Persimmon of My Love set for grand Moscow debut
Hindi cinema style musical revives Indo-Soviet cinema ties for today
MUMBAI: A new chapter in cross-border storytelling is set to unfold as Persimmon of My Love gears up for its premiere in Moscow on 1 April 2026, marking the first large-scale cinematic collaboration between Russia and India in decades.
Positioned as a modern nod to the cultural exchange that once brought Indian classics to Soviet audiences, the film blends Hindi cinema flair with Russian storytelling, aiming to rekindle a long-standing cinematic friendship.
Directed by Marius Weisberg, the musical comedy follows two brothers navigating a lively world of music, family and romance. The lead roles are played by Demis Karibidis and Mikhail Galustyan, with Karibidis also contributing as a screenwriter.
Shot entirely in India, the production leans heavily into Hindi cinema style spectacle. Filming took place across Mumbai studios and the cities of Udaipur and Jodhpur, whose architecture was used to create the fictional setting of Khurmada. A crew of over 350 worked on the project, with large-scale sequences featuring up to 1,000 extras.
The film also brings Indian creative talent into the mix. Dance sequences are choreographed by Jay Kumar, while music by Zurab Matua features songs in both Hindi and Russian, adding to its cross-cultural appeal.
Backed by TNT channel, MyWayStudio and the Russian Cinema Fund, the project reflects a broader push to strengthen cultural ties between the two countries.
With its mix of colour, comedy and cross-border collaboration, Persimmon of My Love is not just a film release but a reminder that cinema, much like music, travels well across borders.
