The Sikhlens Digital Voices Program (SDVP) is a training program for Sikh youth to learn filmmaking. Sikhlens began as a scholarship program at leading film schools. As a result of our interaction with the film schools we were encouraged to create film training programs for our Sikh children. With the help of Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts this initiative was launched in 2015.
Our first partnership was with the Sri Hemkunt Foundation (www.hemkunt2.org). For the past three years Sikhlens and the Sri Hemkunt Foundation had a pilot program to train Sikh children in the gurdwaras of California. These workshops have trained over 1000 children, from ages six to eighteen, and have resulted in the production of over 125 shorts films. This past year the program culminated in a competition amongst the young filmmakers from California.
Sikhlens has now expanded its training program to San Antonio, Seattle, New Jersey, London and New Delhi. Our goal is to continue to expand even further. Sikhs have no representation in the media, films, and broadcast journalism. We need to create the next generation of storytellers. Our goal is to prepare children for the next generation of digital frontiers—virtual reality, digital distribution, and artificial intelligence. Our program consists of a one-to-two day in-person training (3-4 hours each day) Follow on training will consist of on-line modules that have been developed specifically to complement our training. Our trainers are graduates of leading film schools. They donate their services to our program but we appreciate donations from participants and their families to help offset our expenses.
If you or your organization is interested in sponsoring this filmmaking training in your community or gurdwara, please contact us. If you are currently part of Sri Hemkunt Foundation, please contact Dr. Ginny Kaur Chawla, PDV International Coordinator at drchawla123@yahoo.com for the preliminary discussion. Otherwise contact Sikhlens directly at sdvp@sikhlens.com. The only cost that you need incur is the travel and accommodation of our trainers.
If you wish to make a donation to our program click here: www.sikhlens.com/donate
We look forward to hearing from you.
(We need a minimum of two months advance notice.)
