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Catalogue

Lights for Gita

Michel Vo
2001 | 7 min
This animated short, based on the book by Rachna Gilmore, is the story of Gita, an 8-year-old girl who can't wait to celebrate Divali - the Hindu festival of lights - in her new home in Canada. But it's nothing like New Delhi, where she comes from. The weather is cold and grey and a terrible ice storm cuts off the power, ruining her plans for a party. Obviously, a Divali celebration now is impossible. Or is it? As Gita experiences the glittering beauty of the icy streets outside, the traditional festival of lights comes alive in a sparkling new way.

Part of the Talespinners collection, which uses vibrant animation to bring popular children’s stories from a wide range of cultural communities to the screen.

Awards and distinctions

  • Audience Choice Award for Best Short
    Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles, Los Angeles
    2003
  • Best Opera Prima
    Festival internacional de Cine para Ninos / DIVERCINE, Montevideo
    2002
  • Writer's Guild Top Ten Award - Category: Children / Preschool
    Writers Guild of Canada, Toronto
    2002
  • Dick and Ada Bird Award for Best Animated Short Film - with a cash prize of 200$.
    Flicks International Children Film Festival, Saskatoon
    2002
  • Honorable Mention - Category: Children and Youth
    International Film and Video Festival, Columbus
    2001