Sikh Arts and Film Festival to Feature Chapman Student Films

The Sikh Arts and Film Festival (SAFF), which has evolved into a signature event for both the Sikh community in Southern California and independent filmmakers expanding cultural boundaries, will take place November 22 - 24, 2013, at Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts in Orange, Calif., it was announced today.

The three-day Sikh Arts and Film Festival, presented by Sikhlens, will open with a red-carpet celebration on Friday, November 22 at 7:45 pm. Guests will be welcomed to the Festival through a series of short films, live entertainment, and the launch of the 2014 SikhPoint Calendar. Attendees will be able to enjoy a showcase of Sikh artwork and books while networking with the Festival's featured artists, writers, and the local community. The evening will conclude with a dessert and dance reception.

Sikhlens provides a creative outlet for artists to present their "Sikhcentric" films, art, and music to the broader community with the intent of recognizing their talents, raising awareness of Sikh culture, highlighting social issues and instilling pride within the local community. SAFF creates avenues for this work to be enjoyed and shared beyond the Sikh community with the focus of garnering more exposure for the featured artists and writers while creating awareness and a better understanding of Sikh culture, heritage and values.

The Sikhlens Awards, underwritten by The Singh Family Trust; Raj and Marta Bhathal: The Bhathal Family Trust; Harriet and Mohindar S. "Sandy" Sandhu: The Sandhu Family Trust; and Gurinder Singh and Prabhjot Kaur Ahluwalia, are providing four Dodge College student documentary groups funds for each to produce four documentary films and one narrative film with Sikh themes. The student filmmaking teams are:

Team 1: Samantha Andre (BFA/TV & Broadcast Jour. '14), Carly Berryhil (BFA/TV & Broadcast

Documentary: Jour. '14)

Lions of London reveals the tremendous contributions of the Sikh community in both World Wars I and II. Sikhism has deep rooted values of fighting against tyranny and oppression. Sikhs are renowned as excellent fighters, dating back to their battles against the Mughal tyrants, and their bravery earned them the nickname "lions" on the battlefield. The Sikhs continued this military tradition as they took up arms and joined the British in the fight for democracy in both World Wars, losing tens of thousands of soldiers in the fights for freedom. Their sacrifices and heroism are vividly remembered in "Lions of London."

Team 2: Ashley Moradipour (BFA/TV & Broadcast Jour. '14), Jasper Bernbaum (BFA/Film Prod.

Documentary: '14)

Invisible Identity follows Amrit Chawla, a 5th grade Sikh boy struggling with being bullied in school, and the work of the Kaur Foundation to help him and others like him. The Foundation battles discrimination against Sikhs by creating engaging cultural educational materials, and implementing them in school curricula across the United States. Sikhs have long faced discrimination because of their distinct visible identity, and discrimination against them has worsened significantly in the wake of rising anti-Muslim sentiment since 9/11.

Team 3: Drew Heskett (BFA/TV & Broadcast Jour.'14), David Thompson (BFA/Film Prod. '13),

Documentary: Ryan Westra (BFA/TV & Broadcast Jour. '14)

Seeking Ensaaf captures the Brave and vital work of ENSAAF, a nonprofit organization working to end impunity and achieve justice for mass state crimes in India, with a focus on Punjab. Following the stories of three ENSAAF field workers, the film highlights the commitment it takes to fight for justice. Sharing the story of Ravneet and Kuljeet, two of ENSAAF's finest field researchers, the film showcases just how far their dedication to righting the wrongs of the past will take them. Journeying into the villages surrounding Amritsar, they search to find one of many families impacted by the "Decade of Disappearances." With the guidance of ENSAAF Supervisor Ajinderpal, the two document unique and fascinating cases.

Team 4: Spencer Creigh (BFA/Creative Prod. '13), Michael Barth (BFA/Film Prod.'13), Steve

Documentary: Erdmann (BFA/TV & Broadcast Jour.'13), Trevor Doherty

We're Not Strangers tells the tragic story and aftermath of September 4, 1907 when a riot broke out in the streets of Bellingham, Washington. A mob rounded up nearly 200 Sikh lumber mill workers and forced them out of town. Using beautifully-crafted recreations, spoken recollections and poetic visuals mementos, We're Not Strangers showcases a ravaged town more than a century later, still trying to understand its past and look to its future.

Team 5: Reghu Pillai, Yunyou Gan (MBA/MFA Film & TV Prod.'15), Anirudh Gattu (MFA/Film Prod. Producing '14), Kali Baker-Johnson (MFA/Film Prod. Directing'14)

Narrative: Onkar. For the past two years, Onkar and his two friends, Wazz and DJ Ghost-1, have split their time between finishing their college studies and building a reputation as one of Los Angeles' most promising young rap acts, The Katalysts. However Onkar's musical ambitions have built a rift between him and his father who wants Onkar to focus more on his engineering degree. When a talent scout for a small but growing rap label comes to their show, The Katalysts have a chance to make the transition from unsigned hype to underground sensation. But the record label wants Onkar to cut his hair and to cease wearing his dastar when promoting the group. Onkar decides to visit his grandfather at the local gurdwara to ask for advice, but his trip takes an unexpected turn when Onkar meets Amani, a young Muslim woman, and has a run in with the law. What unfolds will change Onkar's perspective on not just his record contract, but his role as an artist and his very identity.

The schedule for Saturday and Sunday features special film clusters and programs focusing on igniting passion, creating discussion, and inspiring new ideas and art. Among other activities, there will be a youth-focused film and book panel of Sikh artists telling their stories and exhibiting their talents, a "Creative Sikhs" spotlight, and a panel focused on the discussion of social issues affecting the Sikh community. Wrapping up the Festival will be the Sikhlens Showcase featuring talented Sikh musicians, performers and artists coming together for an all new performance concert that guests will enjoy for the very first time.

Ticket pricing, and more information on Sikhlens and the annual Sikh Arts and Film Festival (SAFF), is available at www.sikhlens.com.

About Chapman University:

Consistently ranked among the top universities in the West, Chapman University attracts highly qualified students from around the globe. Its programs are designed to encourage leadership in innovation, creativity and collaboration, and are increasingly recognized for providing an extraordinary educational experience. The university now excels in film and media arts, performing arts, educational studies, economics and business, law, humanities and the sciences. Student enrollment in graduate and undergraduate programs is approaching 7,000, and Chapman University alumni are found throughout California and the world.

Lawrence and Kristina Dodge College of Film and Media Arts:

One of the premier film schools in the country, Dodge College of Film and Media Arts offers students the unique opportunity to learn filmmaking in a hands-on environment modeled on a working studio. The college is comprised of the Sodaro-Pankey Undergraduate School of Film and Media Arts, offering degrees in film production, film studies, screenwriting, creative producing, television and broadcast journalism, public relations and advertising, screen acting and digital arts; and the graduate Conservatory of Motion Pictures, offeringM.F.A. degrees in film production, film and television producing, production design, and screenwriting, and anM.A. in film studies. Two joint M.F.A. degrees in producing are also offered in conjunction with the business (M.F.A./M.B.A.) and law (M.F.A./J.D.) schools. Dodge College is housed in Marion Knott Studios, a state-of-the-art, 76,000-square-foot studio and classroom building that provides students with 24-hour access to sound stages, edit bays, Dolby surround mixing, a motion capture stage and more. With an Oscar and Emmy-award winning full-time faculty that boasts more feature film credits than any other film school, Dodge College is where students learn the entertainment business from the inside out.