International
Duthie is BigPond Adelaide fest’s CEO
MUMBAI: The BigPond Adelaide Film Festival has appointed ABC‘s Amanda Duthie as its incoming director and CEO. Duthie replaces Katrina Sedgwick who will relinquish office at the end of the year. Duthie is currently the content head of arts and entertainment at the ABC.
Said chairpersion of BAFF Board Sandra Sdraulig in a statement, “Finding someone to fill the very large shoes of Katrina Sedgwick, the Festival‘s founding director and creative dynamo who has evolved BAFF into one of the world‘s most exciting film events was a daunting task.
I feel absolutely confident that Amanda Duthie is that person, an individual with extraordinary skills, energy, knowledge and networks who we are absolutely delighted will guide the Festival into the future.”
Excited by the appointment Duthie said, “I am so thrilled to have the opportunity to join this dynamic and respected Festival, which I have attended many times as a film lover.
The BigPond Adelaide Film Festival is the most exciting arts and big screen content gig in the country and I am thrilled to be offered the position. Katrina Sedgwick has created an internationally acclaimed film event and I will honour it with the same passion and enthusiasm for Australian and international stories. I look forward to joining the team in Adelaide in the new year.”
Beginning her career as executive producer and series producer at SBS through the 90s, Duthie left the organization to work as associate producer of Beyond the Fatal Shore, a PBS-BBC-ABC production.
In December 2003, Duthie joined the ABC as commissioning editor and executive producer of arts and entertainment before being appointed head of content arts and entertainment in 2008. Here she worked closely with the Adelaide Film Festival jointly investing in films such as Bob Connolly‘s Mrs Carey‘s Concert, Beck Cole‘s Here I Am and Matthew Bate‘s Stunt Love besides investing $200,000 in the festival‘s Hive Production fund projects.
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.
