International
Slamdance fest awards declared
MUMBAI: This year the Slamdance Film Festival has awarded Keith Miller‘s Welcome to Pine Hill the grand jury award for feature narrative, while Jens Pfeifer‘s No Ashes, No Phoenix won the grand jury award for feature documentary at its 18th edition.
The closing-night awards ceremony was held at the Treasure Mountain Inn. Exclaimed Slamdance co-founder and president Peter Baxter, “What a great way to end Slamdance‘s 18th festival — by celebrating the films our excellent jurors and incredible audiences have awarded these emerging filmmakers.”
"This year‘s narrative and documentary competitions are stronger than ever, and these filmmakers represent the vanguard of true independent filmmaking," he added.
Getting Up by Caskey Ebeling was given the Audience Award for Feature documentary, while the Audience Award for feature narrative was bagged by Andrew Edison’s Bindlestiffs.
Besides the Grand Jury award to Keith Miller’s film for its poetic and emotionally honest depiction of one man‘s final journey in life, crafted from a true spirit of humanity and community, the Special Jury Award for bold originality was awarded to Heavy Girls by Axel Ranisch for its joie de vivre, an incredibly life-affirming film that is presented with a unique vision and an amazing cast.
The Grand Jury award for feature documentary was given away to No Ashes, No Phoenix by Jens Pfeifer, the Grand Jury award for short documentary was awarded to Skylar Neilsen’s The Professional.
The Slamdance Film Festival takes place every year in Utah.
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.
