International
German film Silent Sea bags award at Shanghai fest
MUMBAI: Lena Liberta‘s German film Silent Sea has won the best film award in the international student shorts award at the 13th Shanghai International Film Festival.
Silent Sea ranked first from the 928 shorts from 58 countries and regions. American Film Institute student Giulio Musi‘s Echoes got the special Jury award while Lior Chefetz took home the Best Director award for The Godmother. Brazil‘s Project Silence directed by Bruno Caticha bagged the best creative idea award.
The award for the best animation film went to the Israeli film Miracle Lady directed by Michal Abulafia and Moran Somer.
The theme of this year‘s competition was ‘Better City, Better Life‘.
The International Student Shorts Award was introduced at the ninth SIFF in 2006 as a stage for young people to communicate with film masters and display their work.
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.
