International
Filmmart in Hong Kong to have strong French presence
MUMBAI: Asian international film and television market Filmmart takes place in Hong Kong from 22-24 March 2005. It is organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and takes place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Taking Filmmart’s platform by storm are 37 French film companies and film commissions, occupying more than 200sqm of exhibition space. French companies taking part include Unifrance, Film France, the French Association of Producers of Films and Audiovisual Programmes, Ile De France Film Commission, Invest in France Agency and TV France International. France will have a celebration French Dayon 23 March 2005.
French participation in this year’s Filmmart doesn’t stop there. Ecran Total editor Franck Priot will be chairing one of Filmart’s key seminars entitled Franco-Chinese Cinema Partnerships, complementing the current cultural celebrations linking France and China. One panel will discuss the subject Making films together : what do we have in common?. The second panel discussion will look at how the two countries can partner as far as locations, infrastructures, and know-how tools are concerned.
HKTDC director of service promotion Raymond Yip, enthused, “This is a very good sign for Hong Kong and Asia that the French film and television business community is looking east again. This is by far the largest delegation of film and television professionals that have descended upon Asia from France. I am certain that 2005 will be a turning point in the growing interest of Hong Kong as a film and entertainment capital.”
Running alongside Filmmart is the Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF). Here exhibitors with production-ready film projects vie for financing. This year, 28 projects have been selected for presentation from more than 200 submissions by filmmakers and producers across Asia. This specialised industry event is co-organised by HKTDC and the Hong Kong, Kowloon and New Territories Motion Picture Industry Association.
Both Filmmart and Haf are anchor events within the inaugural Entertainment Expo Hong Kong. Entertainment Expo, from 22 March – 6 April 2005. This mega entertainment event will bring together film and television programming, film financing, a film festival, film awards, music and digital entertainment..
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.
