International
Damascus film fest starts from 12 November
MUMBAI: The 18th Damascus International Film Festival will kick off on 12 November. The seven-day festival includes 14 cinematographic events, the most prominent of which is the Turkish cinema event.
The festival will include 222 feature-length films, 24 of which will enter the official competition, in addition to 92 short films, with the participation of more than 160 actors, directors and producers from 46 Arab and foreign countries.
The feature film competition including 24 films consists of Vladimir Menshov (Russia), Anamaria Bonaiuto (Italy), Anamaria Marinca (Romania), Helma Sanders-Brahams (Germany), Jacques Fieschi (France), Kerem Ayan (Turkey), Moufida Tlatli (Tunisia), Najdat Anzour (Syria), Nicole Guillemet (USA), Sandra Nashaat (Egypt), Ward El Khal (Lebanon) and Mahmoud Abdelwahed (Syria).
The short film competition including 92 films consists of Raymon Butros (Syria), Alice Kharoubi (France), Marzia Tedeschi (Italy), Olivier Gicart (Belgium) and Pernille Munk Skydsgaard (Denmark).
Syrian Enana Dance Group will perform several dance pieces are taken from the most prominent international and Syrian films at the opening ceremony of the festival.
Other events and activities such as the round table activity which focuses on the role of the Arab film festivals in developing film production and promotion are also included.
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.
