International
Donor wins best film award at Brussels festival
MUMBAI: Mark Meily‘s Donor, about organ trafficking, was named the best film of the 37th Brussels International Film Festival (BIFF). This is the third time that Meily‘s film is taking part in the film festival.
Lead actress of Donor, Meryll Soriano won the best actress trophy. The daughter of Willie Revillame won the coveted award for her role as Lizette, a woman who sells her kidney to raise money for her placement fee so she can work abroad.
Filipino director Brillante Mendoza was honoured with a Visionary Award for his innovation and valuable contribution to independent films. He was quoted as saying, “I‘m happy to be back here. I was here two years ago for Foster Child. Thank you so much for this award. I really didn‘t expect this.”
The 37th edition of the BIFF also marked the first time that a Filipino actor sat as one of the jurors in the person of Marvin Agustin.
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.
