SAFF 2024 :: SATURDAY MATINEES

Panthic Digital Voice (PDV), a partnership between the Sri Hemkunt Foundation and Sikhlens, empowers Sikh youth by equipping them with essential filmmaking skills. Sehaj Kaur Chawla and Amrit Singh Chawla, alumni of the PDV program, will serve as the hosts for the display of PDV films crafted by  talented community children. The Sikhlens Panthic Digital Voices Program (PDV) traces its origins back to film school scholarships and has grown exponentially since its inception in 2015. Over 1,000 children, ranging in age from six to eighteen, have been trained in the art of filmmaking. This unique venture has brought to life more than 125 short films. A Q&A session will follow the screenings.

This session will be screening in Theater 2.

BHANGRA DANCE WORKSHOP BY SAHEJ KAUR CHAWLA
A Bhangra dance session for children will be led by Sahej Kaur Chawla, a pharmacy student at UCI and UCLA alum. Sahej will be teaching the lively folk-dance Bhangra, which originates from Punjab, India. Having practiced Bhangra since childhood and performed with UCLA’s Bruin Bhangra team, Sahej is excited to share her passion with the next generation. She has also been a graduate advisor for UCI’s Rang De Irvine Bhangra team. In this beginner-friendly workshop, children will learn the vibrant steps of Bhangra.

AMERICAN SIKH
Eight years after the Project S film Red, White and Beard Chapman film graduate Ryan Westra collaborates with the subject of the film Vishavjit Singh in the making of an animated film American Sikh is the true and unlikely story of an American born, turban-wearing Sikh man, Vishavjit Singh, who after a lifetime of facing prejudice, self-doubt and violence, finally finds acceptance in a superhero costume.

MAHARAJA RANJIT SINGH AND RETURN OF THE KOH-I-NOOR DIAMOND (ANIMATED)
The Koh-I-Noor, once the largest diamond in the world, has a storied 5,000-year journey intertwined with the fates of empires. Mined in ancient India, the legendary gem was looted by Iranian-Afghani ruler Nadir Shah in the 14th century, passing to Afghan royalty. Maharaja Ranjit Singh, ruler of the wealthy Sikh Empire, ingeniously retrieved the diamond for India by rescuing Afghan prince Shah Shuja under the promise of the stone. But Shuja deceitfully claimed Koh-I-Noor lost. Through clever diplomacy and spies, Ranjit Singh ultimately succeeded in reclaiming India’s crown jewel in the 19th century. Yet this was not the end of Koh-I-Noor’s epic travels, as it later passed to the British during colonial rule. Today, the mythic diamond remains a prize possession of Queen Elizabeth II, a reminder of bygone eras of conquest and cunning on the global stage.

HOLA MOHALLA
This documentary captures the vibrant Sikh festival of Hola Mohalla in Anandpur Sahib, Punjab. Founded over 300 years ago by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the event showcases Sikh martial arts, music, and spirituality. The film immerses viewers in the festival’s energy and cultural significance.

THE STORY OF PILOO
An engaging story of nest building and mate selection by the master weaver bird-The Baya Weaver.

KHALSA CENTRE – SIMRAN, SEVA, SANGAT
Khalsa Centre – Simran, Seva, Sangat captures the vibrant Sikh community and transformative experiences of a youth camp at British Columbia’s Khalsa Centre, where exciting outdoor adventures are interwoven with a Sikhlens-led filmmaking class. 

RHYMES WITH HUNGER
At the University of Denver, a remarkable collaboration between Professor Marji Karish and Colorado Sikhs leader Dilpreet Jammu has brought the sacred Sikh tradition of Langar to campus life. Since 2016, their innovative multidisciplinary course “Langar @ DU” has empowered students to lead community meal services while exploring the interfaith and secular significance of this centuries-old practice.

Through hands-on experience in project management, marketing, and event planning, students transform classroom learning into meaningful public service, embodying the spirit of Langar’s tradition of community meals served without distinction of faith, caste, or status.

THE SIKH SCHOLAR
The Sikh Scholar chronicles Gurinder Singh Mann’s transformative 25-year career in Sikh historical studies. The film showcases Mann’s groundbreaking research and innovative approaches, including his use of lectures, exhibitions, and digital technologies. It highlights how his work has revolutionized the field, offering fresh perspectives on Sikh history and culture.

REVIVING ROOTS
This film chronicles Kalyan Singh, Pakistan’s first Sikh professor, as he works to reintroduce Gurmukhi, the sacred Sikh script, into Pakistan’s education system. It explores his family’s post-Partition legacy and Kalyan’s dedication to preserving Sikh culture and language in his homeland, emphasizing the importance of cultural heritage.

RISING ABOVE: THE KAMAL SINGH STORY
Rising Above: The Kamal Singh Story: It is an intimate documentary chronicling Sikh ballet star Kamal Singh’s inspiring journey from humble beginnings in India to the world stage, achieving the unimaginable through unwavering passion, dedication, and perseverance in the face of adversity.

PORTRAIT OF A PUNJABI WOMAN
Portrait of a Punjabi Woman intimately follows a day in Gurmeet Kaur’s life, exploring the experiences of a rural Punjabi woman devoted to her household. The film reveals her unfulfilled dreams and abandoned education, while showcasing her resilience as she finds new passions. It paints a nuanced picture of rural women’s lives in Punjab.

KABIR THE LEGOMASTER
Young filmmaker, Kabir Sethi, has made a short movie, which is a compilation of several short Lego stop motion movies that he makes. He also has his own YouTube channel.

THE KAURS OF 1984 | A QUINT DOCUMENTARY
What remains 40 years after a violent incident wipes out your family, shakes you up to the core, and alters your life forever? For many, it is trauma, grief and an unbearable pain from the past. But it is also the women who are left behind after all the men in a family are brutally murdered. And 40 years after the 1984 anti-Sikh massacre, these women have a story to tell — not just the terror they witnessed in those three cold days of November 1984, but also it’s aftermath. And in this documentary, The Quint aims at capturing that aftermath. What happened to these women in the 40 years after 1984? We present to you, ‘The Kaurs of 1984’.

This documentary has been inspired by the book, ‘The Kaurs of 1984’, written by Sanam Sutirath Wazir and published by HarperCollins India.

GURU DA KENDER
The documentary showcases the Vidya Kender, an educational institute dedicated to rehabilitating Sikh students across India. It highlights the institute’s approach of combining formal education from 10th grade onwards with vocational training, while maintaining a strong focus on Gurmat Studies, emphasizing holistic development and cultural preservation.

EMPOWERING DREAMS
Empowering Dreams tells the noble story of Sikh human Development Fund a NGO based in Washington which provides scholarships to the underprivileged kids based in rural Punjab.

LANKERSHIM GURUDWARA
This documentary focuses on a specific Gurudwara, exploring its role in the community and the various services it provides to those in need.

POTHIMALA
Pothimala documents the rich history, intricate art, and ongoing preservation efforts of the Pothimala Gurdwara. 

RHYMES WITH HUNGER
At the University of Denver, a remarkable collaboration between Professor Marji Karish and Colorado Sikhs leader Dilpreet Jammu has brought the sacred Sikh tradition of Langar to campus life. Since 2016, their innovative multidisciplinary course “Langar @ DU” has empowered students to lead community meal services while exploring the interfaith and secular significance of this centuries-old practice.

Through hands-on experience in project management, marketing, and event planning, students transform classroom learning into meaningful public service, embodying the spirit of Langar’s tradition of community meals served without distinction of faith, caste, or status.

A LEAP OF FAITH
A Leap of Faith offers a profile of a Sikh man living in Kobe, Japan, who works to keep the Sikh faith alive in this small city outside of Kyoto.

SIKHISM IN CHIANG MAI
Sikhism in Chiang Mai profiles a Sikh tailor living in the northern Thailand town of Chiang Mai.  He and his  family strive to preserve the Sikh faith in Chiang Mai, running a successful business as a tailor while contributing to the robust Sikh community all around them.

BEAT BY BEAT
From Beat By Beat is an intimate journey through resilience, healing, and transformation, following individuals whose lives are forever changed by One Beat’s care. From a mother finally holding her long-awaited child, to the liberation from chronic pain to the joy of first sight, education in rural India, and the rise of an orphan training to be a doctor—this documentary unveils the profound stories that redefine hope and purpose, moving from darkness to light, from struggle to strength, one beat at a time.

JAAGDE RAHO
Jaagde Raho explores moral dilemmas during religious riots as elderly Bachhitar Singh shelters a stranger against his son Narinder’s wishes. Set in one night, the play examines generational conflicts, fear, trust, and compassion. It challenges viewers to consider the importance of empathy and difficult choices during societal upheaval.

DAVINDER SINGH
Davinder Singh is an acclaimed Indo-Canadian director, actor, and producer known for impactful projects like Waleed, What’s Your Identity, and Beneath the Makeup. Waleed earned honors as the 3rd Best North Indian Film. Singh’s recent productions include Apna Farz; Basera; Patka Box; Bold Helmets; Khalsa Centre – Simran, Seva, Sangat; Deportations 700; and Benaqab Chehre on Chaupal TV. With several compelling films in the pipeline for 2024, Singh continues to garner attention for his directorial skills. 

ONLY KEWAL
Over the past decade, Only Kewal has honed his acting craft across a range of theatrical productions. He finds joy in both comedic and socially conscious roles, appreciating the chance to explore varied emotions and insights into society. Since 2013, Kewal has performed with multiple theatre groups, most recently acting in three Punjabi stage plays in 2023. His repertoire also includes a supporting role in the short film Identity.

MRIDUL SHARMA
Since childhood, Mridul has pursued his passion for acting, formally launching his career in 2018 after graduating from Toronto Film School. With three years of theater experience, he has built a diverse portfolio that includes student short films and Punjabi music videos, as well as background roles in major productions like Dan Brown’s “The Lost Symbol” and “The Mayor of Kingstown.” 

Dedicated to his craft, Mridul maintains a rigorous daily practice routine focusing on monologues, voice work, and scene study. He has also expanded his skill set as a member of a stunt team, where he trains in hand-to-hand combat, knife fighting, boxing, and various jumping techniques. Whether big or small, Mridul approaches every opportunity with enthusiasm and commitment, constantly seeking to grow as a performer.

RISHI PURI
Rishi Puri is a playwright whose work celebrates the transformative power of theater to unite communities and inspire change. Through his plays, he masterfully explores themes of social justice, romance, religious conflict, and political issues, viewing the stage as a platform where everyday struggles find their voice and individuals discover their inner strength.His play “Itihaas Gawaah Hai” has been featured at prestigious venues including the Satrang Festival, Punjabi Art of Association, and Sikhlens. Beyond playwriting, Puri is also an accomplished poet who regularly performs his work on stage, embodying his belief in the collaborative spirit of theater and the importance of amplifying community voices.Currently, Puri is collaborating with the Sikhlens team on his latest production, “Jaagde Raho,” as he continues his journey of storytelling through theater.

AMAN BATRA (SPOKEN WORD ARTIST)
Aman K. Batra is a Punjabi-American poet from Artesia, CA. She is a TEDx speaker, a National Poetry Slam finalist, and has toured colleges, universities, and poetry venues across the country. She graduated from UCLA with a BA in Creative Writing and is currently obtaining her MFA in poetry from Antioch University. Aman’s poetry is heavily tied to her commitment as an educator and an activist. Her work has been featured in the Los Angeles Times, Huffington Post, All Def Poetry, Button Poetry, Vibe, Bustle, and Fight Evil with Poetry – Anthology. For more, follow her on socials @amankbatra and her website: amankbatra.com.

MAYA BATRA (SINGER)
Maya Batra is a singer-songwriter and producer whose music seamlessly fuses Soul, R&B, Pop, and Punjabi influences, bringing a rich cultural depth to her sound. Born and raised in Southern California, Maya’s journey in music began at the remarkable age of five, when she opened for the iconic Sukhbir. By six, she was already recording in the studio, setting the stage for a lifelong passion.

Her dedication led her to study at the renowned Berklee College of Music and the Australian Institute of Music, where she honed her skills in composition and production. She later earned a prestigious scholarship to 1500 Sound Academy, where she was mentored by Grammy-winning legends James Fauntleroy and Larrance Dopson. These experiences have refined her artistry and cemented her commitment to creating music that resonates on a personal level.

Maya’s music is a tapestry of powerful storytelling and heartfelt emotion, celebrating her heritage through a modern, soulful lens. Driven by a mission to help people feel less alone, she seeks to forge genuine connections through her art, making listeners feel seen, heard, and understood.

Follow Maya on Instagram @mayabatra to join her journey and stay updated on her latest work.

BUS NO. 7
In Chandigarh, India, two students, Ehsaas and Sanaa, face rejection in their artistic pursuits. They find solace in an unlikely friendship with Raano, their school bus attendant. The confined space of the bus becomes a sanctuary where their bond transcends age and background, offering respite from their personal struggles.