“Cinching Saddles”: Roping in the Laughs

We’re thrilled to introduce Kevin Sengara and Aman Pannu, amazing screenwriters who are making waves in the industry! Their latest project, “Cinching Saddles,” has earned them a spot as a finalist for the Best Mockumentary Film Award at the Houston Comedy Film Festival. Director Kevin Sengara might be new to the world of filmmaking, but his debut project, Cinching Saddles, is already making waves. Co-directed with Aman Pannu, this mockumentary follows the amusing misadventures of Calvinder, aka Cinch, a South Asian man who adopts a fake Texas accent and wholeheartedly believes he’s a cowboy—despite his complete lack of authentic cowboy skills. The film humorously captures Cinch’s attempts to fit into the cowboy culture at a ranch in a small Canadian town, all while his family adjusts to this unexpected change in their lives.

The Unexpected Birth of Cinching Saddles 
The creation of Cinching Saddles was as spontaneous as the character it follows. Originally, Sengara and Pannu had planned to shoot a different short film, but a severe weather storm kept most of their crew from making it to the set. Rather than waste the day, the two directors decided to pivot. “An hour before heading to one of my family’s ranches, we brainstormed the concept for Cinching Saddles during the car ride,” Sengara recalls. The entire film was shot in just one day, an experience that Sengara describes as both exhilarating and challenging.

Challenges and Improvisation 
One of the biggest challenges of making Cinching Saddles was the lack of a script. Sengara and Pannu had to improvise every scene on the spot, pushing their creativity and adaptability to the limit. Adding to the difficulty, severe temperature drops during filming caused some microphones to fail, making it harder to capture quality audio. Despite these obstacles, the team persevered, and the end result is a film that showcases their ability to turn unexpected challenges into comedic gold.

A Newcomer to Filmmaking 
Sengara may be new to filmmaking, but his fresh perspective has already made an impact. Cinching Saddles marks his first project in the film industry, a remarkable achievement for a first-time director. The film’s success at the Houston Comedy Film Festival, where it was selected as a finalist for the Best Mockumentary Micro Film Award, is a testament to the potential of this up-and-coming filmmaker.

Exciting Developments Ahead 
The journey of Cinching Saddles is far from over. The film has been picked up by a production company and is currently being developed into a television series for a network in Canada. In a thrilling twist, legendary singer Bryan Adams has joined the project as the music producer, creating an incredible theme song for the series. “It’s a very exciting time for Cinching Saddles, and I’m looking forward to seeing where this journey takes us,” Sengara shares.

Connect with Kevin Sengara 
Kevin Sengara is eager to connect with industry professionals for future projects and collaborations. He can be reached via email at kevinsengara@gmail.com, and on Instagram at @KSENGARA.

Looking to the Future 
Though this is Sengara’s first venture into filmmaking, he’s eager to continue exploring opportunities within the industry. He’s open to connecting with distributors, agents, and anyone interested in collaborating on new projects. “This is my first rodeo, though the pun wasn’t intended!” Sengara quips, underscoring his enthusiasm for what lies ahead.

As Cinching Saddles prepares to transition from a short film to a television series, Sengara’s journey in filmmaking is just beginning. With his talent for improvisation and a knack for finding humor in the unexpected, this is certainly not the last we’ll hear from Kevin Sengara.

From the Film Festival Circuit Founder, Mikal Fair: