International
Oz short film set to be world’s first indigenous sci-fi film
MUMBAI: A new Australian short film titled Kindred, written and produced by Josh Bryer is to be the world’s first Indigenous sci-fi film.
Using crowd funding platform Indiegogo, Bryer has been running a campaign to raise $20,000 for the short film, the story of which is based on a ‘Dreamtime’ story by the Worora tribe of Western Australia which tells the story of the Wandjina, a tribe that ‘came down from the sky in boats and created the world.‘
“The film, set in present day, is about Warrun, an Aboriginal man who wakes up inside an Alien spacecraft and has the opportunity to break free from the aliens. There’s a zero gravity scene.
There’s a spaceship crashing into the outback, and at that point there is a twist that offers a big reveal, ” Bryer has been quoted to have said.
The film is likely to go on the floors early September at Nicholson’s On Productions’ Surry Hills studios.
Bryer hopes to premiere the film coming March and move around the festival circuit.
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.
