Orange, Ca. November 18, 2006
The Spinning Wheel Film Festival (SWFF 2006) Southern California is proud to announce a hugely successful weekend, having hosted over 1,500 attendees over the course of a single day festival.
The Festival kicked off on Friday, November 17th, 2006 at the Crowne Plaza – Anaheim Resort, in Southern California to a sold-out audience (at the Sikh Heritage Gala). The very talented filmmakers and stars included Gurinder Chadha (UK), Kavi Raz (USA), Namrata Singh Gujral (USA), Reema Anand (India), and Safina Uberoi (Australia). Also featured were the Singh Sisters, an incredible singing duo from Australia who entertained the crowd with their soulful voices, including a special performance with their father, the internationally renowned Dya Singh. This was followed by a live performance of Bhangra performances, performed by the Guru Nanak Children’s Academy – Sikh Center of Orange County.
The Spinning Wheel Film Festival began the following day, November 18th, and screened sixteen film shorts, including two featured films over 3 clusters, and was followed by a Q&A session with the film-makers. The two featured films including a moving tale of courage in the face of oppression, “Saka Sirhind,” a 50-minute animation film depicting the early 18th century saga of the martyrdom of the two younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh; the movie captured the moving and gripping tale of the nine and seven-year old sahibzadas - Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh, produced by Sikhpoint.com. The second featured film, was an incredible journey, an emotional rollercoaster, “The Gold Bracelet,” a two-hour featured length film about an immigrant family finding their belief in the American way of life only to be shaken by prejudice and xenophobia in this independent drama. “The Gold Bracelet” is directed by and stars Kavi Raz, of Hollywood fame. The afternoon Q&A session brought Kavi Raz and Gurinder Chadha to the stage, and gave the fans and young up-and-coming artists a chance to discuss their thoughts about Sikhs breaking the barriers and entering into the world of film.
Two professional development seminars were held, and a silent auction continued throughout the entire weekend, featuring the artwork of KP Singh, artist, poet, philanthropist extraordinaire, who is also the featured artist in the 2007 Sikhpoint.com Interfaith Calendar, celebrating the various faiths around the world.
SWFF 2006 thanks all of you who made the event a huge success!
Please come back and visit our website to see photos November 17th and 18th, and for updates on Spinning Wheel Film Festival 2007!
Regards,
SWFF 2006 Organizing Committee
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