2nd place competition winner in 2011 
for Intermediate age group (18-25)

3rd place competition winner in 2011 
for Senior age group (26+)

A personal narrative of the GT:1588 exhibition held at The Brunei Gallery, University of London, SOAS – Recording and permission granted by the Organisers of the event.

2nd place competition winner in 2011 
for Junior age group (11-17)

This video is a visual representation of the journey we all take as Sikhs on the path to Waheguru. It is broken up into 3 parts, each coinciding with a quote chosen from the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. 

The first piece, entitled "Wake" is meant to show that although our physical bodies might be awake, our minds are often focused on Maya, sleeping. 

The second piece, entitled "Walk" shows an abstract representation of the journey each Sikh must take on the path to reach Waheguru. This journey does not happen overnight. 

The final piece, entitled "Win", is what we all strive for. Although as film-makers and Sikhs, we have not reached this level in our journey, we tried to imagine what it would be like. We decided to combine regular activities (living the life of a householder) with Sikhi related activities such as doing paat and keertan. At this state, a Sikh has reached anand. 

We hope you enjoy our film!

This is their second year submitting to the SikhNet Film Festival. In 2010 they won 1st place in the junior division for their film "iz yu ignant bout Sikhi?"

1st place competition winner in 2011 
for Senior age group (26+)

 A reality-check on the current state of the Sikh Panth. The story highlights the understanding of Sewa, the caste system and Dasvandh that are prevailing in today’s society. Instead of the living experience of our Shabad Guru, we only bow our heads in front of Sri Guru Granth Sahib.

1st place competition winner in 2011 

for Junior age group (11-17)

Sikh-American teenager Angad takes the message of friendship and building bridges to an international level. He and his American classmates host 32 French teens for two weeks as part of an exchange program. They get to know French lifestyle and culture on an individual level, breaking the common stereotypes that they had of the French, while showing their guests the true face of America. While exploring two other connections Angad has to France, and building his third one, he realizes something that devastates him. At the end of the program the students are almost culturally (Ex) Changed, Almost.

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I was searching for topics for my next documentary… only two weeks before the exchange program. The pre-production and production were really thrown together almost at the last moment, since I had two weeks -weekends really- to plan and acquire the equipment and 2 weeks to film while hosting, and attending the freshman year of my high school. 

Not only was it bad enough going into the project so haphazardly, I honestly had no idea what the film would turn out to be, I had never met the French interviewees, I had to pick a few at random to interview (because we didn’t have time to think it out), and I didn’t even understand the French students at the time. But most of all, I worried about making this film more than the exchange itself.

I think I might not have picked the most efficient way to deal with some of my problems, but it turned out that my biggest worry was the easiest to deal with. I thought that this film would only turn out to be about a high school exchange program, but as I progressed in the Post Production phase, I realized that there was much more to it. There was my personal story and connection with Martin, and the issue of me not being able to go to school in France. It broke my heart to know that the country, language and culture I love so much ( I have been studying French since grade 7th), does not accept me as I am. Kids like me are not allowed our basic right to education in France. 

Then, there was the story of the 32 hosts and the connections they made, and the story of two countries forging yet another bond to each other. 

So, it all came out beautifully and this film became a personal journey teaching me about my connection with Martin, and France, and how I was almost French… Almost. 

I hope I am able to take you and your audience to my school and my journey via (Ex) Changed. 

Sincerely,

- Angad Singh

Related Links

• (Ex) Changed on Facebook
• One Light Films Website
  
• News article about the film & more details about this film project

1st place competition winner in 2011 

for Intermediate age group (18-25)

  The story of this video focuses on a very common problem for Sikh boys and Girls in this modern world. The film tries to make people realize the true value of their heritage as Sikhs and feeling proud.

This Sat Deep Singh’s second year submitting to the SikhNet Film Festival. Last year his film titled, "The Forgotten Truth" was the 2010 winner for the intermediate division. You can watch his last film as well.

 Watch This video on YouTube

3rd place competition winner in 2011 
for Junior age group (11-17)

This movie is about a little girl who was adopted several times and moved from home to home. Because of this she was never good at making friends and she struggled with her social skills. She was bullied on a regular basis which lowered her self confidence. Her life changed completely when she met a Sikh girl named Gurbani Kaur, who by following Guru’s teachings learned that you should always help others regardless of their color, caste and religion.

3rd place competition winner in 2011 

For many years Guru Nanak lived in Sultanpur Lodhi in Punjab, India; the land of five rivers. Every morning in the amrit vela after bathing in the Kali Bein (Black River) he meditated under the same Jujube tree, which he himself planted. But one morning, he did not return. Guru Nanak disappeared into the water.

Many thought he drowned. Many feared he was gone, but after 3 days he emerged.

He had Japji Sahib, and as God spoke these sounds through him in absolute merger he gave humanity the greatest gift that through the application of these sounds we have the technique and opportunity to merge our finite consciousness with the infinite consciousness.

Guru Nanak wasn’t a preacher; he was a reacher, and he reached beyond The Beyond to bring back the sounds that contain all the knowledge that ever was, is, or will be on the planet Earth. He gave the thought of infinity to infinity to bring us to totality. Because it’s not "I am", it’s "I am, I am" and I salute thee, beyond The Beyond; Aades tisai aades. Even the limitlessness is limitless.

Every human being has the opportunity to reach self-exalted experience. We have to reach.

No, say no, when you have to say no, that is Nanak.

It was the year 1499. Guru Nanak was 30 years old. Over 500 years later we are still absorbing his attainment.

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About the Director:

Harimander Khalsa lives in Los Angeles, California with his wife Gurujas Khalsa.

Footage of the river was shot at Malibu Creek State Park with a Canon T2i, while the underwater footage was shot using a GoPro Hero. All skies were replaced in post-production (it was all shot during the day time in bright sunlight) and the energy beam was added using the visual effects software Nuke. Editing was done in Final Cut Pro 7.

www.harimander.com

2nd place competition winner in 2011 
for Senior age group (26+)

Every Year thousands of people from all over the world gather together in Espanola, New Mexico, USA to practice Kundalini Yoga and celebrate the Summer Solstice – the time of the year when the sun is at it’s highest position in a sky and the energy on earth is amplified. Kundalini Yoga was brought to America and first time taught publicly by Yogi Bhajan in 1969, who himself practiced Sikhism. Regardless of that fact, many Kundalini Yoga practices are deeply rooted in Sikhism. For example, the majority of mantras are from the Siri Guru Grant Sahib, and many Kundalini Yoga practices, such as – waking up in the early morning to read Japji and meditate-are the same for Sikhs. Becoming a Sikh is not required for practicing Kundalini Yoga. But many people are influenced by the devotional aspects of Kundalini Yoga and do become Sikhs as a result of their yoga practice. Many take Amrit at the end of Summer Solstice at the Gurdwara, which is considered to be one of the most highly elevated places in United States for taking Amrit. Summer Solstice is a perfect example of the event where people from different paths meet and happily practicie yoga at the same time as many practice Sikhism. Sikhism is not imposed on anyone at Summer Solstice but it’s influence is found everywhere and people get educated and participate in Sikh’s rituals and prayers.

The movie is based on the life of a middle aged person …who with GURU`s grace is finally able to identify a Truth that changes his lifestyle and thinking , a Truth that most of us are ignoring in our everyday lives, behind which there lies the secret of a satisfied , happy and meaningful life..

1st place competition winner in 2010
for Intermediate age group (18-25)

It is a video about how we pretend to be somebody we are not to be accepted by others. Specially as a young woman, it is hard to fit in without make up, shaving, drinking, smoking and even just acting like the "average college girl". It is about how forgetting Guru takes you away from who you really are.But in the end, we are never alone.

2nd place competition winner in 2010
for Intermediate age group (18-25)

How to be good Sikhs (Students) of our Guru (Teacher)? It’s a story of two friends – Bunty and Gurpreet. Find out who you are?

3rd place competition winner in 2010
for Intermediate age group (18-25)

Rehni Rahe Soi Sikh Mera – Sikhi is not by birth but by choice. Sikhism is not bound to any caste, color, creed etc. Anybody who follows Guru jee’s teachings becomes a Sikh ,a student, a learner and this wonderful learning of living a peaceful life never ends rather it teaches, impress so many other lives to live in a Sikhi way!!!

Honorable Mention Award 2010
"Best Acting" Award for best overall acting performances

"Main Sikh haan” or “I am a Sikh". Almost all of us dictate this statement to others or assert the same within our minds. But the parameters with which we tag ourselves as Sikh have been defined according to our personal comfort. What if we get confronted to a real evaluation based on actual parameters, defined by Guru and not by us? How many of us will be able to pass that appraisal? ‘Garry’ is the best employee, most recognized and appreciated project lead in an IT company. Living a life where his busy office schedule, late night parties and other preoccupations don’t leave with enough to do Path or visit Gurudwara. But that is anyways not so important for him. He has his own views about Sikhism and he is sure that he is a Sikh. Whether his views are right or he does not even qualify for evaluation as a Sikh. If not, then what?

1st place competition winner in 2010
for Senior age group (26+)

" Iz yu ignant bout Sikhi" is an attempt to spread Sikh awareness. Each Sikh has to educate 300 people for our world to know who we are. By educating others, we hope to create an environment that accepts our religion and culture. We went to many locations in the metro-Detroit area (our home town) to interview people at the Zoo, Taco Bell, Museums and many more. Along the way we came to learn a lot both about ourselves as well as have a few laughs. We hope you guys enjoy!

1st place competition winner in 2010
for Junior age group (11-17)

Read a news article about this film

"The Golden Armor" is the story of 10 year old Rajbir Singh, who would rather have a PS2 controller in his hand than a Gutka. Through a slightly mischievous scheme concocted by his well meaning elder brother Gurbir Singh and his friends, the gullible Rajbir finds his way (back) to the path of Gursikhi..This short film will have you in hysterics throughout, and cheering for the feisty and lovable Rajbir by the end.

2nd place competition winner in 2010 for Junior age group (11-17)

Based on a poem that inspires us to respect the world and to take time to contemplate the wonders of The One.

3rd place competition winner in 2010
for Senior age group (26+)

In todays era, many Sikh youths are confused because of their ignorance of the true values of Sikhism; thus, they are inclined to get detached from Sikhi. This film is an effort to address the common concerns of confused Sikh youths and restore their confidence so that they may be proud to be Sikhs!

3rd place competition winner in 2010
for Junior age group (11-17)

Truth is higher than all virtues. Higher still is truthful living.

2nd place competition winner in 2010
for Senior age group (26+)

This video is about a Frenchman Michael Rudel who adopted Sikhism and became Darshan Singh. He renounced his French nationality as a protest against French government which don’t allow Sikhs to wear turban in France. Now, he is a farmer ,doing organic farming near Anandpur Sahib (Punjab). From this video we want to show that how great is Sikhi that a person from west adopted it ,but unfortunately our own generation is giving away their Sikh identity.

Honorable Mention for SikhNet "Most Unique Documentary Topic" award