Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

American Sikh to world premiere at Tribeca Film Festival

American Sikh can be seen at the Tribeca Film Festival on Saturday June 10th at 5:15pm, Sunday, June 11th at 2:15pm and Saturday, June 17th at 12:15pm.

American Sikh to world premiere at Tribeca Film Festival

The animated short film American Sikh, which chronicles the life of a ‘Sikh Captain America’ in the aftermath of 9/11, will world premiere at the OSCAR-qualifying Tribeca Film Festival this June.

The film was created in partnership with Singh Vishavjit as the producer and Los Angeles-based director Ryan Westra. It was animated by Studio Showoff, a Melbourne-based production house founded by Ivan Dixon and Sean Zwan that has produced work for Childish Gambino, HBO, and Cartoon Network.


Singh is publicly known for his Captain America persona — a Sikh man equipped with his turban and beard — fighting against bigotry, intolerance, and perceptions of what an American should look like. But Singh, the only member of his family born in the U.S., didn’t always feel he could embrace his identity this way.

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.

Director Ryan Westra has been fortunate to capture many powerful and important stories. He’s travelled rural Punjab capturing undocumented stories of a Sikh genocide, documented the struggle of indigenous peoples against oil companies in Montana, followed the HIV/AIDS outreach work of an NGO in Mozambique, edited an HBO feature documentary on reproductive rights, filmed the intensity of para-athletes pushing their limits, shot content for Headspace around a monastery in the Himalayas about mindfulness, shot a documentary about re-housing the most at-risk homeless in Los Angeles, and has had minor roles on Netflix and HBO series that deal with wrongful conviction and bringing cult leaders to justice.

Director/Producer Vishavjit Singh is a New York City-based illustrator, writer, performance artist, diversity speaker, and creator of Sikhtoons.com. He got his spark for cartooning in the post-9/11 tragedy when Americans with turbaned and bearded countenance became targets of hate/bias crimes.  For the past few years, Vishavjit has been traveling across the U.S. with his Sikh Captain America persona armed with a turban, beard, and humour to tackle fear, anxiety, bigotry and intolerance. He uses storytelling as a tool to create a space for challenging conversations around identity, race, bias, vulnerability, and how to be agents for change. Vishavjit hosts talks & keynotes in schools, universities, government agencies and companies including Google, Apple, NASA & Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. His message and work have been covered by a number of news outlets, including the New York Times, NPR, BBC, The Atlantic, Huffington Post, The Guardian and Time Magazine.

American Sikh can be seen at the Tribeca Film Festival on Saturday June 10th at 5:15pm, Sunday, June 11th at 2:15pm and Saturday, June 17th at 12:15pm.

More For You

Diljit Dosanjh
Diljit Dosanjh in a still from Sardaar Ji 3 set for overseas release only
IMDB

Diljit Dosanjh’s 'Sardaar Ji 3' becomes highest-grossing Indian film in Pakistan amid boycott in India

Quick highlights:

  • Sardaar Ji 3 rakes in £275,000 (₹3 crore) on opening day in Pakistan, surpassing Sultan.
  • Diljit Dosanjh responds to backlash: “When we shot the film, everything was fine.”
  • Film was not released in India due to controversy over Pakistani actress Hania Aamir’s casting.
  • Worldwide opening weekend collection touches £1.6 million (₹18.1 crore).

The Punjabi-language horror-comedy Sardaar Ji 3, starring Diljit Dosanjh and Pakistani actress Hania Aamir, has become the highest-grossing Indian film ever released in Pakistan. Despite being banned in India, the film grossed £275,000 (₹3 crore) on its opening day and £825,000 (₹9 crore) over the first weekend in Pakistan alone.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ranbir Kapoor says playing Lord Ram changed his life as 'Ramayana Part 1

Ranbir Kapoor hugs Ravi Dubey after wrap speech on Ramayana set

Twitter/Raymond/Cinegeek

​Ranbir Kapoor says playing Lord Ram changed his life as 'Ramayana Part 1' wraps

Quick highlights:

  • Ranbir Kapoor calls Lord Ram the most meaningful role of his career during his final-day speech.
  • Ramayana: Part 1 shoot wraps after an extensive schedule led by director Nitesh Tiwari.
  • Ravi Dubey, who plays Lakshman, is seen sharing an emotional hug with Ranbir on set.
  • The film is set to release in cinemas during Diwali 2026, followed by Part 2 in 2027.

The filming of Ramayana: Part 1, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, has officially come to an end. Ranbir Kapoor, who plays Lord Ram in the ambitious mythological film, delivered a heartfelt speech during the wrap ceremony, calling it the most significant role of his career. A now-viral behind-the-scenes video captures Ranbir hugging his co-star Ravi Dubey, who plays Lakshman, as the cast and crew celebrated the emotional milestone.

Keep ReadingShow less
Certain Blacks festival

Ensemble Festival 2025 returns to Royal Docks with bold new outdoor shows

Roswitha Chesher

Certain Blacks marks 10 years with free outdoor festival at Royal Docks

Quick highlights:

  • Ensemble Festival 2025 to be held on 26–27 July at Royal Victoria Docks, London.
  • Free outdoor event featuring circus, dance, street art and physical theatre.
  • Highlights include new works by Sadiq Ali, Vidya Thirunarayan and Miss High Leg Kick.
  • This year marks the 10th anniversary of organisers Certain Blacks.

This summer, London’s historic Royal Victoria Docks will transform into a hub of vibrant outdoor performance as Ensemble Festival 2025 returns on 26 and 27 July. Presented by arts organisation Certain Blacks, the free weekend event features an interesting line-up of new circus, dance and street theatre works, while also celebrating a decade of championing diverse and underrepresented artists.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jonas Brothers

Jonas Brothers are among the first to use TikTok’s new bulletin board tool

Getty Images

Jonas Brothers among first to test TikTok bulletin boards in new messaging feature

Quick highlights:

  • TikTok is testing a new one-way messaging feature called bulletin boards.
  • Jonas Brothers, People magazine, and Paris Saint-Germain among early testers.
  • The feature mimics Instagram’s broadcast channels but may expand further.
  • Only creators can post; followers can react with emojis but not comment.

TikTok is trialling a new feature called bulletin boards, allowing select creators and brands to send direct broadcast-style messages to their followers, similar to Instagram’s broadcast channels. The Jonas Brothers, football club Paris Saint-Germain, and People magazine are among the first to test the tool, which shows TikTok’s growing focus on creator-fan intimacy beyond its traditional feed.

Keep ReadingShow less