International
First Beverly Hills Film Fest from 21 October
MUMBAI: The first edition of The Beverly Hills Film, TV, & New Media Festival (BHFTNMF) will go underway on 21 October. In its inaugural year, BHFTNMF will exhibit a selection of both short and long-form works that will be a mix of the highest standards of creative excellence and technical achievement.
Qualifying projects will be judged by a jury of executives and industry experts and finalists will be reviewed by distributors for possible online, theatrical, or broadcast distribution.
The opening night inaugural party will be held in a private Beverly Hills residence followed by two days of screenings in the heart of the entertainment industry at The Clarity Theater in Beverly Hills.
The management team of the festival that comprises of Dr. Richard Benveniste, Nicole Holland, Donna Spangler and Rebecca Russell has Clinton H. Wallace, Hedi Khorsand, Ira Kurgan (Fox), Marvin Gleicher, Palak Patel (Roth Films), Patricia Saylor, Peter Reynolds, and Ted Unarce as its board members.
The jury comprises Arlene Sidaris, Bob Gros, Brittan Taylor, Dr. John Saylor, Eleanor Moscatel, Gregory Simms, Jessica “Sugar” Kiper, Michael Benveniste, Scott St. James, Tim Van Rellim, Troy Westergaard, and Yasser Hamed.
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.
