Canada Sikh film fest a big hit

Spinning Wheel Film Fest showcased documentaries and short films on and by members of the Sikh diaspora.

Movies on the 1984 Sikh riots, Punjabi brides dreaming of husbands from the West and many getting abandoned by their grooms after paying heavy dowries were screened at a Sikh film festival in Canada's largest city.

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The third annual Spinning Wheel Film Festival showcased more than two dozen feature length documentaries and short films on and by members of the Sikh diaspora across North America and Britain besides Sikhs in India.

"There is no way we could have anticipated this turnout. It's simply overwhelming. We couldn't even offer rush seating, there simply wasn't an available seat to be had," said Kulvir Singh Gill, festival director.

"The aim of the festival is to provide a forum for the community (Sikhs and others alike) to preview Sikh films, engage in discussions and inspire a new generation of Sikhs to pursue careers in the arts."

Several hundred patrons thronged the festival venue, Isabel Bader Theatre, to watch the feature length films and documentaries presented during the two-day festival.

Shonali Bose's Amu, a film on the 1984 Sikh riots, was presented as the gala screening. "This is the first time I'm going to be at a screening of Amu, which will be watched by mostly Sikhs. It will be a very special experience," Bose said before the gala opening.

Other films screened at the festival included A Winter Tale, California Dreaming, Dastaar: Defending the Sikh Identity, It's Like Juggling, Minute Meals, The Sikh Next Door and Waterborne.

The festival also included children's programming and filmmaker workshops.