International
Through the Tunnel doing the rounds at festivals
MUMBAI: Through the Tunnel, METV‘s award-winning documentary about Lincoln Memorial High School at the onset of integration is being invited to several film festivals.
First it was the DocMiami International Film Festival in May. Next up is the Clearwater International Film Festival where the documentary will be shown on 30 September at the Largo Cultural Center.
The documentary has also been accepted at the Naples International Film Festival in November.
“Just being invited is great, because there are hundreds of films entered in each festival,” said Charles Clapsaddle, METV‘s station manager. The Clearwater event is its inaugural and the venue is new, too. “It‘s supposed to be beautiful, so this ought to be a lot of fun,” Clapsaddle added.
Through the Tunnel features coach Eddie Shannon and his protege Henry Lawrence, a three-time NFL champion tackle the Oakland Raiders.
Co-produced by Judges Durand Adams and Charles Williams, the documentary won Best Historical Documentary Award at the DocMiami International Film Festival.
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.
