Name: SAFF 2023 :: Red Carpet Night
Start: 2023-11-17T19:00:00-08:00
End: 2023-11-17T22:30:00-08:00
Location: Chapman University Dodge College

SAFF 2023 :: Red Carpet Night

Sikhlensis a non-profit organization that was founded over twenty-five years ago in Southern California. Its mission is to increase awareness of Sikhs amongst mainstream Americans by exposing them to our unique heritage. Our goals and objectives have been to change the narrative surrounding Sikhs in the mainstream, a goal we continually work toward. Through our many programs, particularly those related to creating and screening Sikh centric films such as “Project S”, “Destination S” and “Sikhlens Digital Voices”, we have been able to promote awareness of the Sikh community. Events we sponsor include film festivals, Vaisakhi events, lectures, book and calendar publications, book discussions, student scholarships, and Sikh conferences at local universities.

Sikhlens

The Sikhlens: Sikh Arts & Film Festival 2023  is back Friday, November 17th at Dodge College in Orange, CA.

Chapman University Dodge College

Join us for a glamorous evening at Chapman's Folino Theater led by MC Sumita Batra. Dean Stephen Galloway will offer welcoming remarks and Harjinder Sandhu will discuss AI and Films followed by the premiere of American Sikh introduced by Vishavjit Singh. We'll also screen the Project Pakistan film Connecting the Dots and the feature film Sarabha-Cry for Freedom.Dress Code: Indian formal Maharaja and Maharani Attire; Western Formal; Dress to impress.

Red Carpet Night Host: Sumita BatraBorn in England to Sikh parents from Iran, Sumita Batra spent her youth migrating between India, England, and Iran. At 16, her family settled in the United States, working tirelessly to establish stability in their new home. When Batra’s mother opened Ziba Beauty in 1987, she became the company’s spokesperson, producing events and tradeshows that fueled growth.Under Batra’s leadership, Ziba Beauty blossomed into chic studios in major California malls, sparking a global henna trend. As a renowned henna artist, she adorned A-List celebrities for magazine shoots and music videos. In 1998, Batra became Ziba’s CEO, partnering to distribute branded kits globally.A prolific author and entrepreneur, Batra penned “The Art of Mehndi” in 1999 and launched Sumita Cosmetics, expanding to 22 countries before selling to her partners in 2017. Undeterred by COVID-19, Batra recently co-founded The Pro Safety Group, producing a 2021 Virtual Summit on beauty industry safety. She also works with a COVID Consortium providing testing kits worldwide, illustrating her tireless ingenuity.

Welcome Message by Dean Stephen GallowayStephen Galloway joined Chapman University this year as the Twyla Reed Martin Dean of Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. Previously, he served as executive editor and producer at The Hollywood Reporter for almost 30 years.Galloway created and produced acclaimed series including “The Hollywood Masters” and “Close Up with The Hollywood Reporter.” A graduate of Cambridge University and the American Film Institute’s Conservatory, he has worked extensively in film and television in the U.S. and France.Over the past decade, Galloway championed diversity initiatives in entertainment. He launched The Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Entertainment Mentorship Program, pairing disadvantaged high school students with top women in film and TV. The award-winning program has served over 250 teenagers who have gone on to college, aided by over $10 million in scholarships raised under Galloway’s leadership.As Dean, Galloway brings a wealth of industry experience and a commitment to opening doors for the next generation of diverse storytellers. His visionary leadership will guide Dodge College into an ever more inclusive future.

AI and FilmsRenowned Microsoft technologist Harjinder Sandhu will give a talk about the intersection of AI and cinematic storytelling. As an expert in artificial intelligence and machine learning, Sandhu will provide fascinating insights into how AI is transforming the process of filmmaking. From using algorithms to analyze scripts to leveraging innovative AI tools for post-production, virtual production, and visual effects, the promise and pitfalls of these emerging technologies will be discussed. Sandhu will explore key ethical considerations as well as the future creative potential of AI. His unique perspective at the vanguard of this groundbreaking field promises to intrigue the audience. Sandhu’s illuminating glimpse into the AI-enabled future of film promises to be a highlight of the Red Carpet Opening Night.

The films to be screened on Friday include:

American SikhEight years after the Project S film Red, White and Beard Chapman film graduate Ryan Westra collaborates with the subject of the film Vishavjit Singh in the making of an animated film American Sikh is the true and unlikely story of an American born, turban-wearing Sikh man, Vishavjit Singh, who after a lifetime of facing prejudice, self-doubt and violence, finally finds acceptance in a superhero costume.<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt24174926/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">More information at IMDb on American Sikh</a>

Connecting the DotsThe documentary Connecting the Dots follows Rubab Chishti, a young architect passionately changing historic conservation in Pakistan. It showcases her dedication to restoring the 190-year-old Gurdwara Choa Sahab, an abandoned Gurudwara within the Rohtas Fort. Since 1947, this pioneering project marks the first proper Gurudwara conservation effort in Pakistan. We witness Chishti challenging longstanding traditions of superficial restoration. Through preserving cultural touchstones like Choa Sahab, she connects the dots between past and future, dedicating herself to saving Pakistan’s living heritage.

Sarabha-Cry for FreedomSarabha-Cry for Freedom illuminates the historic saga of Kartar Singh Sarabha, a legendary icon of the Gadri Babae movement. This film delves into captivating tales interwoven with century-old swords and the intrepid spirit of Gadri Babae. Sarabha chronicles Kartar’s valor and selfless sacrifice in the struggle for freedom, justice and dignity. His inspirational life emerged as a clarion call for an awakening, shaping countless destinies. <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9054914/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">More information at IMDb on Sarabha</a>

SAFF 2023 :: Red Carpet Night

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SAFF 2023 :: Red Carpet Night

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