| SikhNet online film festival is a platform for young Sikhs to focus and celebrate their rich culture and history
Monday, October 21, 2013, Chandigarh, India: Steve Jobs had called the art of connecting things creativity. He realised that creative people felt guilty when they were asked about what they have created. "They didn't really do it, they just saw something and after sometime it seemed obvious to them," he had said. Raj Angad Singh, Japneet Kaur, Taranveer, Gurvinder, Jot Singh or Sawaranjeet Singh….the names don't come rolling when you Google, neither have they made it to the list of creative class, these are just names of people who could think different and connect. These are the names of people who raked their grey cells, pinched their sensitive nerves, picked up the cameras, and shot docu-dramas, films that made to the much known creative podium, the SikhNet online film festival. Amateurs, inspired by ideas followed the theme for the year 2013, 'Sikh Women' and came up with the best they could whip up.
Raj Angad Singh, 21 from Chandigarh is the winner in the comedy film category. His 10 minutes and 10 seconds film, Singh Vs Singh made it to the winning slot. Angad was inspired by his brother Satbir Singh, who was the winner of SikhNet film festival 2012. "I made a film on Raksha bandhan special, on how girls can protect themselves without any promise of security. I took a comic take on it," he adds. Angad is currently pursuing his BCA from Mohali. "I believed in the theme, and once you are convinced about what you are doing, rest everything falls in place. I was very clear about what I wanted to make and how it should be shot."
The Voice Of A Silent Confessor, Taranveer, 20, from Delhi sent his 17 minutes and 30 seconds movie to the SikhNet film festival. Even though the film did not make it to the winning slot, Taranveer feels satisfied. "I made a film on eve teasing. I was inspired by the last year's winner Satbir, I watched his film 10 times a day. I liked the platform that SikhNet provides to young amateur filmmakers." Taranveer is pursuing business economics in Delhi. A little dissatisfied with the voting, he wants the system of selection to be fair to all.
Sawaranjeet Singh Dasua, a Delhi based young fellow made a film titled The Colour Of Blood. "I didn't have a professional camera and neither did I have any editing equipment. So, I first borrowed a camera from a friend, shot the film and finally edited on another friend's laptop." At present, he is an intern with a news channel. "Podiums like these encourage us to connect to our roots through a creative process." A journey of life
A lesson for women
Guruka Singh, CEO, SikhNet film festival shares details of the festival that rakes huge response every year. "SikhNet online film festival gives young Sikh filmmakers a medium wherein the entire world can hear them." Out of the 37 submissions for this year, 32 entries alone were from the young filmmakers in India. Each year, the film festival sees 30-40 original films, which are reviewed by the SikhNet staff. Adds Guruka Singh, "The shortlisted films are selected on the basis of creativity and originality, the ability to deliver the message, technical execution and overall impact." For the year 2014, the submissions will open in May and SikhNet will be taking a fresh look on how judging is conducted. |
Better tomorrow
For a social cause
Highlighting heritage
Gurvinder Singh from Chandigarh is the winner of the Make Me Think category. His 22 minutes documentary film won award in the documentary category. "Am I Kaur is the story of a girl's struggle to sport a turban in the modern world. She gains inspiration and insight from events that lead her to take a deeper look at herself," shares Gurvinder. A 3D animator by profession, Gurvinder plans to direct a film one day. "This works as the learning ground for me." Jot Singh a creative photographer from Chandigarh also sent his film in the festival.
Japneet Kaur from Ludhiana collected her family and asked them to act in her shot film titled Rehnuma, which she sent to the SikhNet online film festival. A voice-over artist, Japneet shares, "I might not be strong technically, however all my friends and family liked the concept. I have got the direction right, I have to work more on the technical details. Next time, I will try to improve on that.” Japneet Kaur came to know about this festival on Facebook, and immediately got down to work. "I have showed that Guru Gobind Singh Ji has already taught us the method of self defense, which girls can use for their safety. I totally believe in the theme and how it’s relevant ". Japneet will definately try her making many more short movies in the near future. “This is the beginning, I am going to give my best again,” she smiles.
Creativity online