International
Tribeca, Sundance developing distribution network
MUMBAI: Tribeca Enterprises and the Sundance Institute have been experimenting with various ideas to develop a credible distribution network for independent films, exploring all kinds of possibilities offered by the emerging and fast evolving digital technology.
Tribeca Enterprises plans to create its own movie distribution arm called Tribeca Films to take its films to American audiences. On the other hand, Sundance nstitute is also putting in place a year-round strategy for the digital distribution of independent films that will involve its partners.
The Sundance programme will focus on facilitating distribution while filmmakers retain ownership of their work while Tribeca Films will also acquire films for distribution like any other conventional distribution company.
These are attempts to fill in the void left behind by the disappearance of specialty film distribution arms of major studios that did not find it worthwhile to pump in money in their subsidiaries.
Tribeca and Sundance will use their brand name to keep the cost of marketing and promotion down. There are still a great number of cynics who are not sure if these efforts will work or not.
People think that the Tribeca model may work since it is backed by American Express and LodgeNet, a VoD service that reaches out to about 1.8 million hotel rooms in North America.
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.
