International
Long Island International Film Expo on in Bellmore
MUMBAI: The 12th Annual Long Island International Film Expo (LIIFE) that starts this week will feature Independent films and shorts both from Long Island and around the globe will go underway at the Bellmore Movies (222 Pettit Avenue, Bellmore) from 9 – 19 July. It will also feature panels, a cheese and wine reception and an award ceremony.
“These are some of the best independent films in the world,” says director of the Nassau County Film Office, Debra Markowitz. “This year, the selected films to be screened come from 23 different countries and include 146 shorts and 24 feature-length films, she said.
The Nassau County Film Commission and the Long Island Film/TV Foundation, an organisation set-up to help promote Long Island film production, were both involved in putting LIIFE together as well.
With each passing year LIIFE has grown from screening just 40 films and has presented up to 170. This year some of the standouts include Tapped, a documentary about the bottled water business and Hope Deferred, a documentary about the importance of stem-cell research.
Among other must-see flicks is a comedy about men who are in the business of making wedding videos called The Video Guys. The movie was written and directed by Dan Brennan and has already won numerous technical awards.
Then there is Night for Day, a vampire movie, thriller and love story rolled into one. It is written, directed and produced by Russ Camarda who also acts in the film. Despite the differences in mood and genre, these films were both shot entirely on Long Island, directed by native Long Islanders, and share a similar cast of actors.
A technical award ceremony is scheduled for 17 July as well as a closing and a star-studded award ceremony on 19 July. Among those honoured will be actress Nikki Blonsky, (of Hairspray fame) who will be receiving the Creative Achievement Award.
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.
