International
Speilberg on JBFC board
MUMBAI: The Jacob Burns Film Center (JBFC), a non-profit cultural arts organization dedicated to independent film exhibition and promoting 21st-century literacy, has inducted Steven Spielberg to its board.
Spielberg is arguably the JBFC‘s highest-profile board member; others include Jonathan Demme and author Esmeralda Santiago.
“For the past 10 years our goal has been to transform education to equip children to succeed in the digitally and globally connected 21st century. It is very gratifying that Steven Spielberg not only recognizes the importance of our work but wants to join us in redefining literacy in America,” said JBFC founder and executive director Stephen Apkon in a statement.
Last month, the JBFC hosted a tribute to Spielberg when celebrating the center‘s 10th anniversary.
“I have not heard of anything like the Jacob Burns Film Center happening anywhere else in the world,” said Spielberg in a statement.
“What makes the JBFC different from every other well-intentioned organization that brings community and film together is its educational outreach to under-resourced schools. They reach so deeply into the community to give kids a chance to find themselves early on and before it‘s too late, because that‘s all the kids really want. I am thrilled to be on the board and look forward to the work we will do together,” he added.
Located in Pleasantville, NY, the JBFC aims to teach students how to communicate using visual and aural media media while learning collaboration, innovation, problem solving, cross-cultural understanding and risk taking.
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.
