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 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

   The film takes the audience through the rich and universally appreciated tradition of Selfless Service or ‘Sewa’ as preached in the Sikh faith and how it can be a means for devotion to the Almighty God.

 The Video summaries the importance of Kar Sewa – Voluntary, selfless service for the mankind, tribute to saints of India who made it happen with Almighty Grace and also with the help of holy congregation (sangat).

Our Homage to Sant Harbans Singh Ji Kar Sewa Wale who left for heavenly abode in April 2011. May This video serve his mission further.

We have also tried to answer some of the queries related to Kakaars and Love for homeland : India

I wish that the audience will like it.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa

Waheguru ji Ki Fateh.

 This short film is titled : "Langar Seva in Sikhism." The film explores the concept of Langar ; the origin, procedure, and importance. These various subjects are summarized briefly through the use of title descriptions. 

In making this video, I have shared my love for seva; service. As a Sevadar at my local Gurdwara, I am proud to have expressed my passion through film making.

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.

—

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

Each Sikh, when he starts the miraculous path of Sikhi, is jolted by some exclusive turns of events that awakes him out of his slumber. Most of us would recall the time when we came to know about our magnanimous ancestors and their contributions to society building followed by bloody rampages done on them. Thus the feeling of being subjected to injustice sets in. The massacre, the holocaust, the pogrom of 1984, Delhi only adds to the yearning of a learning Sikh- to bring his people to justice and himself be a part of the revolution. But it isn’t meant for brash, insolent young Sikhs to do it- but the matured, full ripe, tender Sikhs who shall do something significant for the panth.

Being a little kid, the director wrote and sang this composition fancying himself as a kavishari. He was young, brash and overwhelmed with raw, enthusiastic vengeance. Over the years the audio was lost owing to the ‘kavishars’ ignorance and shift(s) in paradigm(s). Look at the serendipitous stroke of luck that the audio file was kept safe and sound with an admirer of the poetry sung therein. In no time it found a video to go by it and voila! Here is it! Videoing and editing skills were never a part of my repertoire, well, nor was poetry- this video comes as an attempt anyhow to probably blaze a trail which was never meant to illuminate in the first place. But hey, what could be more illuminating for you than Gurparsad (lord’s own will)? The "director" says- Get the message of the video, and stay in touch (with gurparsad)!

Waheguruu jee ka khalsa Waheguruu jee ki fateh!

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.

 My name is Tanveer Singh , originally from a city called Arusha in country called Tanzania which is in East Africa. After watching some very inspiring movies on sikhnet i decided to make a movie.

This video is about the killing of baby girls and why is it happening in this new age of time. Most of us ignore this problem which is affecting the society in whole. 

Recently i saw some news article regarding killing of girls in punjab , when i researched on the internet and found out that its actually affecting every one. I hope you enjoy this video and pass on the message and make a difference to educate ourselves and others regarding Female Infanticide.

I would lastly thank the siknet film festival for the everything they are doing for the society.

Have you ever wondered, if people around you, people you work with, your friends, your neighbors can even tell which religion you belong to by looking at the style of your turban?

Even if they can, should they really be judging you?

 The Film is based on a Sikh Family in Punjab who is trying to save the Tati Saaz tradition by manufacturing them at their home. The Eldest is worried about the future of Tanti Saaz in his family because his children think that it did not give sufficient earning for the basic need of life. Their are very few workers left who are making Tanti Saaz, We Must do something to save this traditional instruments Which was used by our Gurus for Holi Gurbani.

This Video is very shocking and very sad . Its About the truth of a Ancient and Historical Gurudwar at har ki paudi , Haridwar. see itself and gain knowledge of anti-sikh activities by Administration at Haridwar.

This is a short film made by me and my friends. Our intent is to spread knowledge about the Sikh faith throughout the globe so that people can come to learn to respect each others beliefs.

The Sikhs are a distinct community through their beliefs, practises and appearance. One of the key articles of faith is the sword – an item which men and women can both carry. To the wider world the sword is an offensive weapon, for a Sikh however, it holds a more spiritual purpose and is there for the protection of the masses. Gatka is the ancient battle-test martial art which uses the sword as its primary weapon. The Shaheed Bhai Mani Singh Ji Gatka Akhara explains and demonstrates the importance of the sword as a weapon of mass protection.

This movie is basically dedicated to all those sikhs who have come back to guru’s path and become gursikhs.

Dastaar is the crown of Sikhs but after 9/11 attacks many people do freak out at site of people with turban. This video demonstrates that we can’t judge a book by its cover as the value of something is not obvious what we see on the surface.
So we should save our judgments until we have more experience and similarly a Sikh can’t be militant just because of turban and beard.

" 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

This was my first film created

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