The Sikh International Film Festival Toronto (SIFFT) returns for its second year with an expanded lineup of documentaries, shorts and feature films that celebrate the diversity of Sikh stories and storytellers.
The two-day festival, taking place October 25 and 26 at the Art Gallery of Ontario, showcases nearly 30 Canadian and international titles that explore all aspects of the Sikh experience, from the very origins of the faith to the social and cultural concerns of the present day.
Festival highlights include an exclusive opening night screening of producer-director Harinder Singh Sikka's feature film, “Nanak Shah Fakir,” which tells the story of Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh faith. The film, made with the creative assistance of two previous Oscar winners (Slumdog Millionaire sound mixer Resul Pookutty and composer A.R. Rahman), is slated to make its North American theatrical premiere in November.
Other titles of note include “Super Fan,” a portrait of famed Toronto Raptors supporter Nav Bhatia, and “Lions of London,” which recalls the contributions made by Sikh soldiers serving in the British Armed Forces during the First and Second World War.
The festival also marks the 30th anniversary of the 1984 massacre of Sikhs in India with a series of films that examine the explosive chain of events leading to the killing of an estimated 8,000 innocent people, and that shed light on the Sikh community's still-unfinished quest for justice.
 SIFFT is supported by the Sikh Foundation of Canada, which promotes greater understanding of the Sikh presence in this country and highlights their contributions with a focus on arts, education and culture. Learn more at www.sifftoronto.com.