International
240 films vie for 5th Asia Pacific Awards
MUMBAI: The fifth Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) will have 240 films from 43 countries. The films, among the ones from Samoa and Cyprus will compete in this year‘s APSA.
While the nominations would be announced in October, the names of the winners would be announced on 24 November at the annual APSA Ceremony at Australia‘s Gold Coast, said APSA artistic director Maxine Williamson.
Ms Williamson pointed out that several films that have received critical acclaim and awards at film festivals in the last year would be coming from Berlin, Cannes, Rotterdam, Sundance, Busan and Karlovy Vary.
She revealed that films by Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige (People‘s Republic of China), Aparna Sen (India), Asghar Farhadi (Islamic Republic of Iran), Eric Khoo (Singapore), John Woo and Tsui Hark (Hong Kong – People‘s Republic China), Hong Sang-soo (Republic of Korea), Nuri Bilge Ceylan (Turkey), Sion Sono (Japan), and Fred Schepisi, Julia Leigh and Ivan Sen (Australia) were amongst those being considered for nominations fot this year‘s APSA.
Williamson pointed out that Farhadi‘s film Jodaeiye Nader az Simin (A Separation), that is listed in the APSA competition this year was produced with the assistance of finance from the first round of MPA APSA Academy Film Fund.
This fund is supported by the Motion Picture Association (MPA) and is available to members of the APSA Academy, which includes previous Winners and Nominees, Jury and Nominations Council members.
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.
