International
Four Aussie films to feature at Edinburgh Film Fes
MUMBAI: Australian film Red Hill will be among four films from the country to screen at the 64th annual Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) slated for the later part this month. The festival, that runs from 16 to 27 June will screen more than 100 features and have 22 world premieres.
South Australian director Patrick Hughes‘s debut feature, the thriller stars Ryan Kwanten (True Blood fame) was shot in the picturesque town of Omeo.
The second Aussie film to feature at the festival is Matthew Bate‘s documentary The Mystery Of Flying Kicks that uncovers the mystery behind sneakers hanging on telephone lines. Short film Siberia, a short film directed by Andrew G Taylor and a comedy film Franswa Sharl directed by Hannah Hilliard will also feature in the festival.
Festival patrons Sean Connery, Tilda Swinton and Seamus McGarvey are likely to put in an appearance during the 12-day celebration.
Other films to feature in the festival include Werner Herzog‘s My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done? and Steven Soderburgh‘s And Everything Is Going Fine. Sylvain Chomet‘s The Illusionist will open the festival.
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.
