International
DocuWeeks kicks off on 19 August
MUMBAI:The International Documentary Associations (IDA)DocuWeeks program, a three-week showcase designed specifically to meet the Academy‘s eligibility requirements kicked off on 19 August.
The celebration will take place on 28 September with festivities that include a screening of his 2007 film Into the Wild as well as a compilation of highlights from his acting resume.
In the 14 years of its inception, DocuWeeks has qualified 17 Oscar nominees and seven winners.
Filmmakers who participate in DocuWeeks pay the IDA a fee commensurate with the cost of renting a theatre for a qualifying run on their own though it brings with it the added cachet and publicity of part of DocuWeeks curated program.
One of this year‘s films, Dying to Do Letterman has raised more than $40,000 on Kickstarter to cover the cost of participation and of additional promotion and publicity.]
Another first-week film, Nick Brandestini‘s Darwin has received rave reviews for its portrayal of a small community in California‘s Death Valley.
Unfinished Spaces, that screened at the Los Angeles Film Festival earlier this summer, is a striking, eye-opening and beautifully-made documentary about the National Art Schools in Cuba.
Other first-week films include The Boy Mir – Ten Years in Afghanistan,S.O.S./State of Security and a program of four short Documentaries , including Library of Dust.
DocuWeeks will continue in New York till 1 September and in Los Amgeles 8 September.
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.
