The Community Voices initiative is working toward its $100,000 fundraising goal. We currently have two films in production, with a new project set to begin filming in September. Contributions at any level will help these stories reach completion and make future projects possible — each one a chance to bring underrepresented voices to audiences who are ready to listen.
Sikhlens is also exploring new AI-assisted publishing and digital outreach tools to help Community Voices films reach wider audiences globally. Beyond production, the focus is shifting toward long-term storytelling impact — ensuring these nonprofit and community stories continue educating and inspiring audiences long after their release.
Filming in September
Vaaspi Seva Society in British Columbia, Canada operates a culturally responsive sober living home for Punjabi men recovering from substance use and related challenges, providing a structured environment rooted in dignity, accountability, community, and Sikh principles of Seva, Naam Simran, Kirat Karo, and Sangat. Through personal stories and the work of Vaapsi, the film will explore an important and often difficult issue affecting Punjabi and Sikh families, while highlighting a community-led approach to recovery, rebuilding lives, and restoring hope.
Films Currently in Production
Khalsa Gurmat School takes us inside the Khalsa Gurmat School in Kent, where a dedicated community is working to ensure the next generation grows up rooted in Punjabi language and Sikh values. The school serves as far more than a place of learning — it is a gathering point for families, a bridge between generations, and a living expression of Sikhi in diaspora life. The documentary follows students, teachers, and parents as they navigate what it means to pass on a heritage in a new homeland, and asks why institutions like this one are essential to the survival of culture, identity, and community belonging.
Ranjit Gataka Akhada follows a group of young Sikh Americans who have chosen to root themselves deeply in the traditions of their faith. Born in the United States and committed to their identity as Amritdhari Sikhs, they are actively reclaiming practices that might otherwise be lost — training in Gatka, the ancient Sikh martial art, and mastering horsemanship as an expression of valor and heritage. The film is a portrait of devotion and determination, exploring what it truly means to honor one’s history while building a life far from the land where those traditions were born.
Premiering at the Sikhlens Arts and Film Festival November 2026
Ride By Turbanators - Across the vast landscapes of Canada, a unique brotherhood roars to life on two wheels. From coast to coast, Sikh motorcycle clubs unite riders bound not just by their love of the open road, but by their unwavering commitment to serve others. These aren't your typical biker gangs—they're charitable warriors on Harleys, their turbans flowing in the wind as they partner with major organizations like Khalsa Aid, the Canadian Cancer Society, and Guru Nanak Food Bank. Every ride tells a story of community engagement; every mile raises funds for those in need. In a groundbreaking display of religious accommodation, provinces like Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Ontario have embraced these riders' faith, exempting turban-wearing Sikhs from mandatory helmet laws.
Peter Singh’s Green Home tells the story of Peter Singh and Nino Kaur, a South Delhi couple who have transformed their house into one of the cleanest-air homes in the country. With over 15,000 plants, solar power, rainwater harvesting, and natural construction techniques, they maintain an indoor AQI of just 10–15 even when the city outside is choking with pollution. Built as a healing sanctuary after Neno’s battle with cancer, their home is a living example of how care for the environment can also care for the people within it.
NASMDA, the North American Sikh Medical & Dental Association, is a leading national network that brings together 600–700 Sikh medical professionals at their annual gathering. Our latest Community Voices film, Healing Together: The NASMDA Story takes viewers inside this organization to explore how Sikh physicians and dentists unite to advance healthcare, mentorship, and service. Filmed during NASMDA's annual meeting, this organizational documentary captures their mission of compassion and excellence while showcasing how they inspire the next generation of medical leaders. The film will have its world premiere in January 2026 during the association's annual conference, which next year will include a Sikhlens-in-a-Box.
Bruin Bhangra follows the student-led Bhangra team at the University of California, Los Angeles, as they carry forward a tradition that goes far deeper than performance. Set against the wider story of Sikh Student Associations across North American campuses, the film explores how Bhangra has become a defining expression of identity, belonging, and cultural pride for Sikh and Punjabi youth in the diaspora. Through the voices of current members, alumni, and organizers, it captures what the team has meant across generations — and why rhythm, discipline, and shared heritage continue to bring young people together.
Community Voices is proceeding toward its $100,000 fundraising milestone. Reaching it will allow the initiative to complete the films currently underway and begin work on new stories still waiting to be told.
None of this happens without the people who support it. Your generosity and engagement are what allow these films to be made and shared with audiences around the world. Over the life of this initiative, fifteen documentaries have been completed, each offering a window into a community and culture that deserves to be seen.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us.
