International
Italian film fest to celebrate excellence in visual arts in May 2002
The International Festival of Films on Art and the Lives of Artists, the event that critically evaluates the latest productions in cinema, television, video and infographics dedicated to the world of visual arts, kicks off in Asolo, Italy, on 2 May, 2002.
The ‘Asolo Project’, that organises the annual four-day film fest, has invited global entries for the competition. The eligibility criteria for the entries stipulates short, average-length and long films, with or without a subject, produced between 2000 and 2001. Films in both 35 and 16 mm with either optic sound track or with magnetized tape will also be admitted. The deadline for submissions is 28 February, 2002, according to an official release.
The festival, being held each year since 1973, aims to develop a well-thought out critical perspective by focussing on the positive confluence and combinations of the diverse communicative visual forms. The five sections in the festival comprise –
·Films on Art for audio-visuals, on subjects such as painting, sculpture, architecture, music, cinema, theatre, dance and any other form of artistic expression;
·Video Art and Computer Art, for works using electronic and computer audio-visual means as direct artistic expression;
·Computer Net Art, for works of art on the web that are transmitted via internet;
·Experimental cinematographic, television, video and info-graphic productions made in specialised courses of cinema schools and special institutes of higher education.
An international jury comprising five luminaries from the cinema and art world will award prizes for the best art work in television and video, the best film on art, the best film on the life of an artist, the best film of artists or of video art, the best production conceived for online viewing, best experimental cinematographic for television and video, the best info-graphic production made in specific courses for cinema or other specialised institutes of higher education, and the best sound track. The jury will also note any works deserving particular merit that would not otherwise be recognised, the release says.
More details about the festival can be had from www.artfilmfestival.com.
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.
