International
Idaho film fest postponed
MUMBAI: Organizers of the Idaho International Film Festival (IIFF) have postponed this years annual event, usually held in September to March next year.
According to a press release, IIFF organizers had long been thinking about moving the festival dates.
“The primary reason for the change is that it allows us to gain access to the best new, independent, American film titles available,” writes IIFF executive director, Lyle Banks. “Having the festival in September has precluded us from showing films that have screening commitments at Sundance, Toronto and the American Film Institute festivals.”
All submissions currently in possession of IIFF will be considered for the spring event. Submissions will not be returned and IIFF is currently not accepting any more submissions.
Last year’s four-day festival screened as many as 50 films from 14 countries including a number of award-winning independent films like Charlie Valentine and Cookies and Cream.
The festival was founded in 2001 In order to promote independent filmmaking from within as well as from outside Idaho, the festival was founded in 2011.
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.
