International
12 EU film producers for TIFF
MUMBAI: A dozen European producers attached to Producers Lab Toronto will fly to Toronto on the occasion of this year‘s Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) to meet an equal number of Canadian producers.
The Lab has been in operation for the previous two editions of the Canadian festival and this year has secured necessary funding from the European Union‘s Media Mundus program to help the Europeans reach the Canadian festival event.
The forum is organized by European Film Promotion (EFP) in collaboration with the Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC) and Toronti International Film Festival (TIFF).
In order to foster closer relations between the producers, the participants are subsequently invited to alumni meetings during the Berlin and Cannes film festivals.
Organisers of the first two editions of the Lab said almost all of the participants from 2010 and 2011 are in contact with one another and 27 projects are actively in development.
The TIFF, that will run from 5 to 8 September, aims to unite producers from Europe and Canada on film projects and bolster co-productions.
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.
