International
Vietnam Film Fest from 17 to 21 October
MUMBAI: The organisers of the Vietnam International Film Festival (VNIFF) have announced that the first edition of the festival will be held in Hanoi from 17 to 21 October this year.
At a news conference in Cannes, the organisers asked the press to help them zero in on five to seven French films for a special section in the 60-film programme in which films from Vietnamese filmmakers will also be screened.
The festival that will showcase the old spirit of Vietnam and the development of the country will include short films, documentaries and narrative features along with Vietnamese features with English subtitles and some of the most important local films.
The VNIFF will have Technicolor sponsoring a $25,000 Asia Award for post-production on the best Vietnamese film. A $10,000 UniFrance & K+ award will also be presented to the best French film selected by the Vietnamese spectators.
Hanoi‘s Opera House will host the festival screenings and its National Convention Center will be used for the opening and closing ceremonies.
While the deadline for the submissions of the festival has been fixed for 8 August, the lineup of films to be screened at the festival would be revealed in early September.
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.
