International
UK Film Council undergoes major overhaul
MUMBAI: As part of a major overhaul of the organisation following its $41.9m (?25m) budget cut, the UK Film Council (UKFC) has proposed to merge its Premiere, New Cinema and Development funds in order to create a $25m (?15m) Film Production Fund.
The UKFC has launched a three month public consultation into the plans on November 17.
The fund will be used to support all production but will have an emphasis on first and second time film-makers, and will also support experimental, innovative and digital film-making.
The $25.1m (?15m) budget for the new fund is $3.3m (?2m) lesser than the total allocated to the three separate funds, although any money recouped by the UKFC from their investments will now go directly back into the Production Fund.
According to UKFC chief executive, John Woodward, the fund is expected to at least equal the current spend on the three funds, as a result of the reinvestment: “Instead of recoupment going back into the top of the Film Council, the money will go directly back into the production fund, so my expectation is that in three years time there will be slightly more money in the pot than there is now.”
It is understood that the fund will be led by four executives, who will be appointed by April 2010.
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.
