International
‘The Crooked Eye’ darling of festival circuit
MUMBAI: Scheduled to screen at five short film festivals in Los Angeles, D.C. D.C.Douglas‘ The Crooked Eye is quickly becoming a hit of the festival circuit in Tinsel Town.
Having recently shown at Laemmle‘s Sunset Five theatres on the Sunset Strip in the Dances With Films Festival, the film will now return to the same theatres for the LA Shorts Fest on July 27, as well as the West Hollywood International Film Festival and HollyShorts Film Festival in early August.
Additionally, the film will screen in the SSG Summer ShortsFest at the state-of-the-art Wilshire Screening Rooms in Beverly Hills at the end of July and the Malibu International Film Festival in early August.
Narrated by Academy Award winner Linda Hunt and starring Fay Masterson and Katherine Boecher The Crooked Eye follows a day in the life of Sharon (Masterson) as she struggles with a recent divorce and a current perception problem.
The Crooked Eye is based on the short story of the same name, written by Betty Malicoat.
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.
