International
Duynslaegher is artistic director Ghent film fest
MUMBAI: The Ghent Film Festival has appointed Patrick Duynslaegher as its artistic director from 1 September.
Said Managing Director Jacques Dubrulle, “This appointment is part of the Board of Directors‘ plan to further develop the important role the Ghent Film Festival plays in the film culture of Flanders and beyond. Patrick will be able to count on the support of several top team members, who have already won their spurs.”
Observed Duynslaegher, “After many years in film journalism, I am thrilled that I can now put my passion for cinema to good use serving the most dynamic film festival in Belgium. I am joining an enthusiastic team to develop new initiatives and ideas in the fast-evolving image culture, surrounded by an explosion of new media where the world of films must constantly reassess itself.”
Duynslaegher (1953) started his career as film editor at Knack, a weekly magazine, where he soon became one of the most critical and competent opinion makers in the Belgian film world. In 2000 he became editor-in-chief of Knack Focus, which he turned into the leading entertainment magazine in Flanders.
The appointment of Duynslaegher has strengthened the structure of this organisation. Together with business & operations director Filip Van Pottelberg and the festival‘s producer and programmer Wim De Witte, Duynslaegher will be responsible for the daily management of the organisation.
The organisation has been holding the Ghent Film Festival since 1979.
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.
