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Jaskaran Singh's Jersey Boy to premiere at CAAMFest in SF
The debut feature follows a Sikh youth navigating identity and belonging across decades
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Pranavi Sharma - Tue, 21, Apr 2026
- 02:30 EDT
- 15
‘Jersey Boy,’ directed by Jaskaran Singh / X
‘Jersey Boy,’ directed by Jaskaran Singh, will screen at CAAMFest in San Francisco as part of the festival’s 2026 lineup. The film is scheduled for its world premiere on May 9 at 7 p.m. at the AMC Kabuki theater during the four-day event running May 7–10 in San Francisco’s Japantown.
The 105-minute narrative feature marks Singh’s directorial debut and traces the life of Karandeep Singh across three stages, from childhood to adulthood, in a story set against a post-9/11 backdrop. The coming-of-age drama explores themes of identity, belonging, and family as the central character navigates personal relationships and a family tragedy.
The role of Karandeep is portrayed by three actors across different life stages: Rayaan Singh Sahni as a child, Surjun Lail as a teenager, and Praneet Akilla as an adult. The cast also includes Sara Garcia. The film is presented in English and Punjabi and is produced in Canada.
JERSEY BOY, from Jaskaran Singh, screens at CAAMFest, a coming-of-age story following Karandeep across three stages of life, exploring identity and belonging in a post-9/11 world.https://t.co/0swPtiHGRo pic.twitter.com/iKWUz0HOKi
— CAAM (@CAAM) April 18, 2026
Jaskaran Singh, a Brampton-born and New Jersey-raised filmmaker, has previously written, directed, and produced several short films focused on identity and inclusion. His earlier works include ‘A TURBAN & A BEARD,’ a docu-drama examining Sikh hate crimes in the United States since 9/11, ‘ME|HER,’ a romantic dramedy, and ‘COPELESS,’ a psychological drama centered on generational trauma.
Reflecting on the film’s journey, Singh said, “It's still unreal that something I started writing in 2019, and we filmed in 2023, is finally seeing the light of day.” He added, “but trust me when I say, it's lit up my world in the darkest of days, and I'm beyond excited to share its shine. It's time to come home.” He also thanked the festival organizers, saying, “Thanks, @CAAM.”
‘Jersey Boy’ has received industry recognition ahead of its premiere. The screenplay was a quarterfinalist in the 2022 Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting and was included on the 2021 CAPE List, curated by The Black List. The project also won the Power Pitch award at the 2020 Whistler Film Festival.
According to festival organizers, CAAMFest, now in its 44th year, is a leading showcase for films from Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. The event features a range of screenings and programs highlighting diverse voices in film and media.
Discover more at New India Abroad.
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