International
Netherlands doc wins Sundance Fest jury award
MUMBAI: The Sundance Film Festival 2011 announced its awards on Monday.
While the Netherlands film Position Among the Stars directed by Leonard Retel Helmrich won the World Cinema Special Jury Prize for documentary films, Being Elmo: A Puppeteer‘s Journey, directed by Constance Marks was adjudged the winner of the special jury prize in the US Documentary Competition.
Other awards are as follows: Winner of the World Cinema cinematography award for documentary filmmaking: Hell and Back Again (U.S.A./U.K.), (cinematography by Danfung Dennis). The winner of the World Cinema documentary editing award went to The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 (Sweden/U.S.A.) editor Goran Hugo Olsson and Hanna Lejonqvist. The winner of the World Cinema Documentary Directing Award was bagged by Project Nim (UK), directed by James Marsh. The winner of the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize in documentary was bagged by Hell and Back Again (UK, USA).
The winner of the World Cinema special Jury Prize, dramatic, for breakout performances was Olivia Colman and Peter Mullan for Tyrannosaur (UK). The winner of the World Cinema cinematography award, dramatic went to All Your Dead Ones (Colombia) while Restoration, written by Erez Kav-El (Israel) was the winner of the World Cinema Screenwriting Award, Dramatic. The winner of the World Cinema direction award Dramatic went for Tyrannosaur directed by Paddy Considine (UK).
The winner of the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize, Dramatic was Happy, Happy (Sykt Lykkelig) that was directed by Anne Sewitsky (Norway), winner of the Best of NEXT! Audience Award went to to.get.her, directed by Erica Dunton while the winner of the World Cinema audience award for documentary film was Senna, directed by Asif Kapadia (UK).
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.
