International
Planet of Snail is best doc at Amsterdam fest
MUMBAI: Seung-Jun Yi‘s Planet of Snail has won the best feature length documentary award the 24th International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA).
The film, that traces the man‘s interactions with the world and his loving wife, had been an early favorite of audiences and industry-attendees alike.
A special jury award and the audience award went to Emad Burnat and Guy Davidi for 5 Broken Cameras. Mid-length Argentinian documentary Montenegro by Jorge Gaggero and Chinese-Canadian co-production The Vanishing Spring Light picked up other international honours. The top Dutch award was bagged by Jessica Gorter for 900 Days.
Other notable documentaries that eclipsed awards were The Ambassador, They Call it Myanmar – Lifting the Curtain and Cape Spin.
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.
