International
Weaver is California Film Commision chairman
MUMBAI: The California Film Commission has elected Keith Weaver as its chairman of for its 2012 term. Weaver replaces IATSE official Michael F. Miller, Jr. who will continue as a board member.
“Keith brings a powerful blend of public affairs and entertainment industry experience that will help advance our mission of increasing production and creating jobs in California,” California Film Commission executive director Amy Lemischhas been quoted to have said. “He‘s as much at home in Sacramento as he is in Hollywood, and he knows how to get things done.”
Weaver‘s day job is executive vp of worldwide government affairs for Sony Pictures Entertainment, where he has worked for over a decade. He has been on the board of the film commission since 2008.
Before he joined Sony in 2002, Weaver was staff director for the California State Redistricting Office; and was manager of community and government relations for Kaiser Permanente.
Besides Weaver, Steve Dayan, business agent for Teamsters local 399, was elected vice chairman while Hilary Armstrong, a documentary producer was elected secretary.
There are 21 members of the commission‘s board. They advise the commission on movie and TV related policies, and oversee the state‘s annual grant of $100 million in tax breaks to keep productions in the state.
Members of the board are appointed by the governor, president of the state Senate and speaker of the state Assembly.
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.
