International
Japan film and animation firms among orders at Tiffcom
MUMBAI: At the 7th Tokyo International Film Festival Content Market (Tiffcom), recent trade fair in Japan, local film and animation firms secured close to $1 million worth of deals film at).
According to data from the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions, Hubo Productions, a Mandaluyong-based independent production house garnered the most trade inquiries among all 10 Philippine participating companies at the Festival.
Also local subtitling and dubbing company Beginnings at Twenty Plus got a lot of inquiries mostly from companies that it had already done some work for, indirectly.Most of those that inquired about Beginnings at Twenty Plus‘ services discovered that the firms they had outsourced jobs to had tapped the dubbing and subtitling firm to do the work for them.
The full-length 3D animated film RPG Metanoia, the entry of Star Cinema, Ambient Media and Thaumatrope Animation to the Metro Manila Film Festival also generated a lot of interest among the festival attendees that included network giant Turner Entertainment Networks Asia.
Production companies from China, Malaysia and Thailand also saw the possibility of co-producing the 3D animated flick in their countries. This buyer response made RPG Metanoia the country‘s best-selling offering at Tiffcom.
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.
