Roots & Wings

What is Roots & Wings about ?

2009-09-01T14:07:00.000-07:00

The U.S.A is proudly known to be the Melting Pot of the World.

But I am not entirely comfortable with the idea of achieving assimilation at the cost of diversity.

I’d rather see my country as a salad bowl where uniqueness is a good thing as long as it’s accompanied by co-existence.

‘Roots and Wings’ poses the question if one has to cut off their roots in order to spread their wings and soar high.

I interviewed the participants of a Sikh Youth Leadership retreat in my quest to highlight the challenges they face every day being both American and Sikhs, the spirit with which they overcome them and what they expect out of their fellow citizens.

With this documentary, I wish to highlight to the audience that beyond anonymity and mistaken perceptions, Sikh youth are truly American; dealing with their challenges bravely, they are uplifted and determined leaders of tomorrow with roots in perfect balance of spirituality and progressiveness.

The work aims for 'anyone who feels different on account of their visible identity or ideology' to realize that they can triumph being who they are if they are rooted in the a strong value system that embraces humanity. And that their roots in fact, strengthen them to soar high on their wings.

What do the Educators have to say about this ?

2009-09-01T13:29:00.000-07:00

Today, the burden of fighting ignorance and prejudice falls often on those who face it.

Discrimination, harassment and even hate crimes are the happenings that are not uncommon to the Young Sikhs of the U.S.A. All caused by ignorance.

But who is going to fix this?

Most of the youth are trying to educate their peers. But how much educating can or should they do? The burden of educating can not fall only on them. At least, I hope not.

Perhaps the education system needs to do more to promote diversity and educate the teachers, students and their parents about little known minorities such as the Sikhs and the other ethnic groups that make up the fabric of the American society.

As I took my work to Educators, School going children and even Policy Makers to get some answers, I learnt that, everyone agrees that we could use more diversity education in our schools. I had a very positive response and one by one the movie is making a difference by opening the minds of the teens across our country.
I believe that Media is a great way to accomplish this goal, that is why I started this project.

And now, I need your help towards this mission. If you would talk to your teachers, I will gladly send them the movie and the lesson plan for a 'Diversity Workshop' for your school. For more information please visit the Educator's page on the website: http://www.onelight-films.com/
or write to:
rootsandwingsthemovie@gmail.com

Hope you will help me take the message of acceptance and peace to our schools.
-Angad Singh

Worldwide Screenings, Awards and Recognitions

2009-08-01T14:03:00.000-07:00

Yr 2010, 2009
Multiple Screenings
Curriculum for Staff Training
'Diversity in the Workplace'
and
'Teachers Training'
Kent School District, Washington

March 2010
Screening for grades 10-12
World Religions Study
The Lovett School
Atlanta, GA

Sept 2009
Best Short Films by Kids
Semi-Finalist
Moondance International Film Festival
Boulder, Colorado

April 19th- 23rd, 2010 , 2009
Milton High School
Alpharetta, GA
Screening and Workshop for Foreign Language & Social Studies Classes
'What does it mean to be an American today? '

Dec 11- 24th, 2009
Cable TV Broadcast - Film and Interview
AIB TV, Atlanta, GA

Dec 1- 30, 2009
The Education Channel
Cable TV Broadcast
Tampa Bay, Florida

Nov. 1, 2009
The Chicago International Children's Film Festival
Chicago, IL
Top Pix - Kid's Flix

Oct 23, 2009
TallGrass Film Festival
Joel Fien High School
Wichita, KS

Sept 12, 2009
Sher-e-Panjab Newspaper
10th Anniversary Gala Award
for Community Service,
Youngest Sikh Filmmaker

Sept 12, 2009
Hofstra University, New York
Award - Best Children's Film
& Guest Speaker

Sept 12, 2009

Screening and Workshop

GMSL Sikh Center

Richmond Hill, NY

August 2009
Action/Cut Short Film Competition
LA, California
Winner- Best Documentary Film, 2009
Winner - Most Promising Young Documentarian, 2009

Aug 11- 15th 2009,
IYFF, Barry, U.K.
Nominee - Best Foreign Documentary

July 15 - 25th, 2009
Akal Academy - Muktsar,
Akal Academy - Cheema,
Akal Academy - Baru Sahib
Punjab, India
Workshops with grades 9-12
'Challenges and Opportunities of Sikh Youth as Global Citizens'

June 8- June 12th 2009
la Perverie Secondary School, Nantes, France
Cultural Exchange Workshop :
'My life as a Sikh American'

June 11-14, 2009
Spiritual Film Category
Breckenridge Festival of Film, Colorado

April 25th, 2009
Screening and Workshop,
Leadership & Dedication Award
Gurdwara Singh Sabha
of Washington, Renton WA

March 2009
Screening & Workshop
Soos Creek Elementary, Kent, Washington

April 25th, 2009
National Film Festival for Talented Youth
Seattle, WA

March 2nd, 2009
Winner: Best Student Film - Educational Category
IFFF, Hollywood, CA

Feb 28th 2009
International Family Film Festival
at the Chaplin Theatre, Raleigh Studios
Hollywood, CA

Nov 15th, 2008 -
California Spinning Wheel Film Festival,
Writers Guild Theatre
Beverly Hills, California
Creative Media Award

Oct 2008,

International Online Competition

First Place Winner
Junior Division

Oct 10th, 2008 - World Premiere,
Gala Night Selection and Keynote Speaker
Spinning Wheel Film Festival
at the Isabel Bader Theater
Toronto, Canada