International
21 animated films for Academy Awards consideration
MUMBAI: Twenty-one animated features, put alphabetically from Adventures in Zambezia to Zarafa, have been submitted for the consideration if the Academy Awards.
The submitted features, listed in alphabetical order by title, are:
Adventures in Zambezia, Brave, Delhi Safari, Dr. Seuss‘ The Lorax, Frankenweenie, From Up on Poppy Hill, Hey Krishna, Hotel Transylvania, Ice Age Continental Drift, A Liar‘s Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python‘s Graham Chapman, Madagascar 3: Europe‘s Most Wanted, The Mystical Laws, The Painting, ParaNorman, The Pirates! Band of Misfits,The Rabbi‘s Cat, Rise of the Guardians, Secret of the Wings, Walter & Tandoori‘s Christmas, Wreck-It Ralph and Zarafa.
Under the rules of the Academy, since more than 16 films have been submitted, a maximum of five films may be nominated when nominees are announced on 10 January.
This year‘s submissions include entries from major animation houses like Pixar‘s Brave, Disney‘s Frankenweenie and Wreck-It Ralph, DreamWorks Animation‘s Madagascar 3: Europe‘s Most Wanted and Rise of the Guardians, Fox/Blue Sky Studio‘s Ice Age: Continental Drift, Universal/Illumination‘s Dr. Seuss‘ The Lorax, Sony Animation‘s Hotel Translyvania and Focus/Laika‘s ParaNorman.
The entries also include a bumper crop of indie and foreign-made animated efforts. Like Adventures in Zambezia, made in South Africa has birds that live near Africa‘s Victoria Falls as its characters. Zarafa is a French-made film about a young boy who escapes slave traders and befriends a giraffe.
Several of the films listed have not yet had their required Los Angeles qualifying runs. Submitted features must fulfill the theatrical release requirements before they can advance in the voting process. Films submitted for animated feature may also qualify for Oscars in other categories, including best picture, provided they meet the requirements in those categories.
The submissions will be reviewed by the Academy‘s animation branch to determine that they have met all the eligibility requirements and will be viewed by a screening committee or committees which will rate each film on a score of six to ten. Those movies rating an average score of 7.5 will be eligible for nomination.
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.
