HOLLYWOOD, CA: From November 14 to 16, 2008, Sikh artists and film makers will capture the Hollywood spotlight. Southern Californians are excited to showcase their talent and celebrate the stories of Sikhs worldwide at the Fifth Annual Sikh Art and Spinning Wheel Film Festival (SWFF).

Why the name “Spinning Wheel” for the film festival? In earlier times, villagers gathered around a spinning wheel, the charkha, to spin, weave, and share joys, sorrows and stories. Likewise, the SWFF is a gathering place for filmmakers and their audiences to explore the diverse experiences of Sikhs in the global village.

The festivities begin on Friday, November 14 with a red carpet gala. Artists, film makers, actors, directors, producers, museum curators and of course fans will have a chance to mix, mingle, and preview Sikh art and select movies. The evening will also include a display of works from leading artists, such as the Singh Twins from the UK, Iqbal Singh from India, Tanya Singh and Siri Kartar Kaur Khalsa from California, and include rare books, coins, carvings, jewelry, and historic documents featuring Sikhs.

Saturday will showcase sixteen excellent films. The morning is dedicated to children, presenting Cultural Safari, Saka Sirhand a cartoon about the sacrifice of Guru Gobind Singh’s youngest sons, and the Singh Twins’ film The Making of Liverpool. Throughout the day movies will cover topics ranging from historic battles in Punjab (Chillianwala) to current struggles in the streets of New York, Surrie, and France (Warrior Boyz, Sweet Amerika, Right to Turban). Young Angad Singh’s film Roots and Wings, Michael Singh’s film 35-Pantee, and many other are not be missed. Film makers, actors, and directors such as Raj Paul Singh Dillon, the Singh Twins and Michael Singh, to name a few, will all be there to talk about their inspiring works.

On Sunday, leading curators, researchers and artists from The British Museum, National Army Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, National Trust and Royal Geographic Society, and others will present Sikh art and artifacts in the possession of the British government and public institutions. The event will focus on specific themes relevant to Sikh Heritage, ranging from accounts of the Anglo-Sikh wars, techniques used in the construction of Sikh arms and armor, and the life of Maharaja Duleep Singh. The conclusion of the festival is dedicated to Creative Sikhs! a first of its kind section featuring Sikhs who work in the visual arts, audio, entertainment and fashion industry.

Post-event parties are happening on Saturday and Sunday nights in Beverely Hills!
Parking is Free for festival goers!
Please visit: http://www.spinningwheelhollywood.com for schedules, tickets and more information.

However, Sikhnet’s announcement of the event made me think they were more “sisters”:

“The Sikh Art and Film Foundation is pleased to host the Fifth Annual New York Spinning Wheel Film Festival at Asia Society and Museum in Manhattan on Saturday October 4th 2008.”

But then why isn’t New York City listed on the poster … I don’t know … maybe logistics maybe something else. Any one know for sure?

Great you are planning to attend the NY and Toronto festivals! You will have to tell us how they went!

…“Spinning Wheel Festival” is about to begin across North America this autumn. Celebrating Sikh films and art, the first stop will be in New York City on Saturday, October 04, 2008…

From what I can tell the “Sikh Film Festival 2008″ (sikharts.com) in New York is perhaps a cousin of the “Spinning Wheel Film Festival” (sikhwheel.com, the Toronto/Hollywood one) but they are otherwise different entities/organizations with different films. Anyway, the more the merrier!

With any luck I’ll be attending the NY and Toronto festivals.