The Sikh Lens Arts & Film Festival is set to return to Leicester for its second consecutive year this Saturday, May 10, offering a vibrant day of culture, creativity, and community spirit at the city’s Phoenix Cinema and Arts Centre.
Led by Harinder Singh, the newly appointed Head of Sikh Lens UK, the festival promises a powerful blend of film, live performance, art, and dialogue, celebrating both Sikh heritage and broader themes of unity and humanity.
Picture credit: Pukaar News
Singh’s involvement with Sikh Lens UK marks a new chapter in a global movement originally founded by Bicky Singh in the United States over 30 years ago. “Bicky Singh called us digital warriors,” says Harinder. “The digital age is our platform to share stories, culture, and Seva with the world.”
The Leicester festival kicks off at 11am and runs until 10pm, with free entry until 6pm. It will be hosted by Brit Punjabi broadcaster Parneet Kaur. The day features an exciting mix of documentaries, live performances, and interactive sessions.
Highlights include:
- Documentary Screenings such as Silver Lining, which follows a team conducting eye camps in Punjab, and Rabdi Adwas, the inspiring story of a blind Hindu singer in India.
- 3D Animation Premiere on the environmental philosophy of Guru Nanak, created by Singh himself.
- Live Talks by local historian Gurinder Singh Mann together with his documentary The Sikh Scholar being shown.
- Bal Choda, the award-winning design engineer behind Aston Martin’s King’s Award-winning innovation.
- Art Showcases, including work by Kamal Koria, a Gujarati graphic artist who brings a cross-cultural lens to South Asian identity and the amazing 3D Digital showcase by the Sikh Museum Initiative.
Harinder adds, “It’s not just about Sikh voices—it’s about showing how creativity and compassion unite us. From Bal Choda to Kamal Koria, we are showcasing role models across communities.”
From 7pm to 10pm, the festival transforms into a musical celebration featuring a flute and Algoza player accompanied by three tabla players in a rhythmic jam session, and Simran Deep performing on the ancient Taus instrument.
Deepa Shakti, renowned for her performances with philharmonic orchestras, will also be singing Punjabi folk music.
Looking ahead, Singh confirms plans to take the festival to Manchester and London in 2026, following previous events in Birmingham.
At its core, the Sikh Lens Festival is a vehicle for promoting Sikh culture, but also for something broader: “This is about Seva, about sharing wisdom, and helping the disadvantaged,” Singh explains. “It’s about the oneness of society.”
For more information, visit: https://sikhlens.com/
