American Sikh: Short Film, Discussion and Reception with Directors Vishavjit Singh, Ryan Westra and Executive Producer Chef Vikas Khanna

Celebrate empathy, acceptance and cultural diversity this holiday season with an inspiring short film, American Sikh, followed by a lively discussion and a festive reception. American Sikh is an Oscar-qualified animated short film that tells the incredible true story of Vishavjit Singh, an American-born, turban-wearing Sikh illustrator, writer, performance artist, diversity speaker and creator of Sikhtoons.com. After a lifetime of facing prejudice, self-doubt, and violence, Singh finally finds acceptance in a superhero costume. Now he is publicly known for his alter-ego as "Sikh Captain America" — a turbaned and bearded Sikh who fights against bigotry, intolerance and perceptions of what an American should look like after 9/11. Following the film, there will be a discussion with Singh, executive producer and Michelin-awarded chef Vikas Khanna, and director Ryan Westra, moderated by Reena Roy.

The reception following the film will feature delicacies inspired by the film and created by Chef Vikas himself!

Event Schedule:

6:30 - 6:45 p.m. Introductions

6:45 - 7 p.m. Film Screening

7 p.m. - 8 p.m. Panel Discussion with Directors Vishavjit Singh, Ryan Westra and Executive Producer Chef Vikas Khanna

8 p.m. - 9 p.m. Reception

About the Filmmakers

Vikas Khanna

Vikas Khanna is an internationally acclaimed Indian American chef, filmmaker, and author. He is a James Beard nominee and one of the first Indian chefs to be awarded a Michelin Star in the U.S. He has featured among the 10 most influential chefs in the world by Vanity Fair. Vikas is the author of 41 award-winning books, and he is also the creator of Holy Kitchens, creating awareness of Sikhism through community kitchens. The Last Color marks Khanna’s debut as a film writer and director, which raised awareness of the disinheritance of widows, whilst Barefoot Empress focused on education for girls in India.

∨ Show More

Vishavjit Singh

Vishavjit Singh is a New York City based illustrator, writer, performance artist, diversity speaker and creator of www.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 humor 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. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic he has been working with the city of NYC Test & Trace Corps and a local NGO UNITED SIKHS on COVID-19 suppression and relief efforts. His message and work has been covered by a number of news outlets, including the New York Times, NPR, BBC, The Atlantic, Huffington Post, The Guardian and Time Magazine.

∨ Show More

Ryan Westra

Ryan Westra is Los Angeles-based director and cinematographer of documentary and commercial content. Ryan has worked with HBO Documentary Films, Verizon Wireless, Dreamworks, the Atlantic, the BBC, the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, Panorama Music Festival, and has had his work featured on FunnyOrDie, Upworthy, The Huffington Post, and the BBC.

Above all else, Ryan is passionate about telling compelling stories that can change the world for the better.

∨ Show More

American Sikh: Short Film, Discussion and Reception with Directors Vishavjit Singh, Ryan Westra and Executive Producer Chef Vikas Khanna

Vikas Khanna

Vishavjit Singh

Ryan Westra

Event Details