International
Animation Guild in a three-year deal
MUMBAI: The Animation Guild – also known as IATSE Local 839 has reached a tentative agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement. The agreement provides for 2 per cent increase of annual wage and for pension, health, and secondary retirement plan (Individual Account Plan, or IAP) benefits to be provided under the terms of the IATSE Basic Agreement.
The three-year deal, that runs from 1 August this year till 31 July, 2015, was negotiated with animation producers represented by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), including ABC, Adelaide (Sony), Animated Productions (Paramount), Cartoon Network, Cast & Crew Payroll, CBS, Columbia, DeLuxe Laboratories, DreamWorks Animation, Entertainment Partners, FPS Services, Fox TV Animation, Legendary, MGM Animation, Muddy Water, NBC Universal, PES Payroll, Turner Films, Walt Disney Pictures and Warner Bros. Animation.
In a statement, the AMPTP said “Both sides worked through some difficult issues to reach an agreement that gives members of The Animation Guild the same benefits package and two percent annual wage increase as recently negotiated in the IATSE Hollywood Basic Agreement.”
Other provisions of the new agreement include a new storyboard revisionist classification, and changes to the talent development program and the DreamWorks Animation wage minimums.
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.
