MELBOURNE – SISFFA, Australia’s first Sikh International short film festival, took place at Yan Yean theatre in South Morang over the weekend as hundereds of people turned out to see the breakout of a band of fresh new filmmakers.
The 1st chapter of the festival, which culminated with 11 finalists all vying for top prize and exposure crowned its winner on Saturday. The theme of the Film Festival was ‘Fight Against Drugs’.
Gurpreet Singh Wazir of Melbourne won SISFFA 2017 with his short film Nithavey ko thaav; a film by wazir productions and Delhi Rocks. The team has won $2,000 cash.
Nishchey kar apni jeet karo by Gurmeet Sran took second prize. Manpreet Singh who did the role of Nihal Singh in this movie, also won a special appreciation Best Actor award, while Natalie Heslop won the best actress award. The movie won a prize of $1000.
The Black Life by Daas productions and directed by Jasmine Kaur, snatched third place and won $500 AUD. The lead role played by Gurjit Singh grabbed the best actor (male) award.
The judges for the crop of films included Rana Ranbir, Navtej Sandhu & Navjeet Buttar.
Sikhi Meri Jaan by Sabrang TV (Michael Thandi) won special appreciation Film award by Judges.
Best Supporting role was awarded to Satinder Chawla for his role in Karma movie, produced by Wazir productions.
Another short film Zameer by Mcube Media and directed by Manraj Marhala, received a great appreciation from audience and judges, however could not make it to the winning position.
Other movies which were screened at SISFFA 2017 were ‘Apna Punjab?’ by Panj Teer productions, Growing Distance by Kirtan Singh, The Smile by Langda Aam productions, Alarm by Roop Parmar and The Addiction by Vicky Gill.