International
HFPA giving grants to non-profit film organisations
MUMBAI: The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), the group behind the Golden Globe Awards, is giving away $1.5 million in grants to non-profit film organisations.
At a ceremony HFPA president Philip Berk handed out cheques to film schools and groups that support film promotion and preservation. HFPA has given more than $12 million in grants to date.
Actress Eva Longoria Parker acknowledged that she was slightly star-struck as she read from a script to present the cheques. “This is hard for me, this teleprompter, because Nicole Kidman is sitting right behind it,” Parker said.
Kidman was among the stars who accepted the grants along with Bryan Cranston, Jane Lynch, Ryan Phillippe, John Slattery, Matthew Fox, Aaron Sorkin, Carla Gugino, Jim Parsons, Kaley Cuoco and Annette Bening.
Recipients also included Outfest, FilmAid International, the Museum of Modern Art, American Cinematheque, the American Film Institute, Inner-City Arts and eleven universities.
The 68th annual Golden Globe Awards will be presented Jan. 16.
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.
