Animated Short ‘American Sikh’ Wins Webby For Best Animation

India-West News Desk

LOS ANGELES, CA – The animated short film ‘American Sikh’ has been awarded Best Animation Video & Film at the 29th Annual Webby Awards. Organized by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, the Webby Awards recognize outstanding digital media from around the world.

Created by Ryan Westra and Vishavjit Singh, ‘American Sikh’ is based on the true story of Singh, a U.S.-born Sikh man who navigates prejudice, identity struggles, and personal growth. Known for his “Sikh Captain America” persona, Singh uses his superhero alter ego to challenge narrow ideas of what it means to be American.

The 10-minute film explores Singh’s life across the United States and India, reflecting on the impact of post-9/11 hate crimes and his search for self-acceptance. Since its premiere at the 2023 Tribeca Festival, ‘American Sikh’ has been featured at various film festivals—including Sidewalk and San Diego International—and covered by outlets like Good Morning America, Forbes, CNN, and Variety.

Released globally on YouTube in September 2023, the film addresses the issue of hate crimes against Sikhs while promoting a message of unity and understanding.

In partnership with Altair Education Consulting, Singh has also developed 11 classroom lesson plans for grades 6–12. These resources focus on topics such as identity, media representation, post-9/11 perspectives, and recognizing bias in society.

By highlighting the limited representation of Sikhs in Western media, ‘American Sikh’ encourages a more inclusive vision of American identity. –