Chandigarh’s Tagore Theatre turned into a vibrant cultural crossroads on Saturday as ‘Sikhlens: Sikh Arts & Film Festival 2026’ blended international cinema, technology and heritage into a single high-energy event, screening 25 films.From the moment the doors opened at 11 am, the venue reflected a seamless meeting of local tradition and the global Sikh diaspora. Hosted by Pinaka Mediaworks and Sikhlens, the festival marked a milestone by bringing together directors from the US, UK and Canada — Bicky Singh, Gurpreet K Singh, Nikki Gill and Harinder Singh — on one stage in India for the first time.With free entry for all sessions, students from Panjab University were seen sharing rows with international innovators and diplomats, all immersed in the same cinematic journey. The morning began with the meditative strains of the Tanti Saaz, traditional string instruments such as the ‘saranda’ and ‘dilruba’, performed by Sri Guru Granth Sahib Vidya Kendar. The “Harmony Symphony” created a reverent atmosphere before the spotlight shifted to the launch of “The Legend of 1972: Life Hockey and Beyond”, the biography of Olympian Kuldeep Singh Bhogal, who represented Uganda at the 1972 Munich Olympics. Bhogal’s presence as guest of honour highlighted the global reach of Sikh excellence.Adding diplomatic weight to the event was Major Guneet Chaudhary, Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic for the region, who attended as special guest. Tejwant Singh Gill, president of Guudwara Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, Sector 34, also attended the event.A major highlight was the Indian premiere of the documentary, “Crafting Legacy”, which showcased the journey of Bal Choda, lead engineer and inventor associated with the iconic British brand Aston Martin. The film traced his inspiration back to childhood.“My grandad bought me a matchbox Aston Martin when I was 7 years old,” Bal shared. “I looked at that car and said one day I will work there, this is my dream.”The festival also served as an informal learning space for aspiring filmmakers, with several professional directors interacting with the audience.One of the most captivating moments unfolded on stage during the gatka performance by Shaheed Baba Deep Singh Ji Gatka Akhara. The martial art was presented under theatrical lighting, with children as young as four to six performing with striking precision with proud parents watching from the wings.Seventeen exhibitors transformed the space into a living museum. Highlights included the 2026 calendar art by the Singh Twins from Liverpool and the intricate “Seed, Memory & Soil” exhibit by Aman Singh Gulati, who etches detailed historical narratives onto tiny seeds. Currently based in Gujarat, Aman noted his long association with the festival. “Each tiny art piece has taken me more than 15-20 hours to complete,” he said.Collectors such as Narinderpal Singh displayed rare coins and artefacts from the Sikh empire. A key moment of the ceremony was the presentation of the prestigious “Seva – Sarbat Da Bhala – Chardi Kala” Award to 41 artists for their contributions to art, culture and humanitarian service.Speaking about the vision behind the festival, founder Bicky said, “Panjab is our home, we always wanted to bring this festival here. There are stories of our culture, religion, faith and community which we wanted to take globally for our diaspora and vice-versa.”The festival closed on a high note with the powerful gatka performance by Sri Guru Granth Sahib World University gatka team.