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Lights for Gita

2001 7 min
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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 …

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Lights for Gita
  • Talespinners
    Talespinners
    2000 15 films
    Talespinners, for ages 5-9, includes seven tales of children who confront challenges with ingenuity and creativity. Each story brings facets of a different cultural community to the screen, through a setting, accent, folk element, tradition, particular food or vocabulary. Young viewers will be captivated by the adventures and determination of the Talespinners’ children. This collection includes four original tales and three inspired by books. The stories have particular appeal to modern kids growing up in a complicated world.

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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.

Literature and Language Literature and Language - Canada Cultural Diversity and Multiculturalism Religion, Beliefs and Ethics Families All subjects
Based on Children's Books All channels
  • director
    Michel Vo
  • animator
    Gregory Houston
  • consulting director
    Sheldon Cohen
  • animation production supervisor
    Marie Renaud
  • digital imaging specialist
    Normand Gauthier
  • lead infographist
    Jon Gasco
  • infographist
    Itsik Romano
    Dominic Tremblay
    Randall Finnerty
  • assistant infographist
    Michel Provençal
    Michelle MacDonald
    Shira Avni
  • scan
    Jean-Marc Brosseau
  • video output
    Jean-Marc Brosseau
  • backgrounds
    Michel Vo
  • layout
    Michel Vo
  • additional animation
    Jo Meuris
    Luigi Allemano
    Jamie Mason
    Serene El-haj Daoud
  • storyboard consultant
    Sheldon Cohen
    Marie Renaud
  • writer
    Sugith Varughese
  • narrator
    Ivan Smith
  • voice
    Shalini Singh
    Ken Fernandez
    Majella Castellano
    Rosalind Garland
  • picture editor
    José Heppell
  • music
    Normand Roger
  • sound design
    Normand Roger
  • music - collaboration
    Denis Chartrand
  • sound design - collaboration
    Denis Chartrand
  • sound editor
    Jean-Baptiste Roger
  • line test editor
    Michel Pelland
  • re-recording
    Serge Boivin
    Jean Paul Vialard
  • technical coordinator
    Richard Lesage
    Andrée Lachapelle
  • studio administration
    Gisèle Guilbault
    Andrée Lachapelle
  • executive producer
    David Verrall
    Isobel Marks
  • producer
    Tamara Lynch

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Education

Ages 6 to 9
School subjects
Ethics and Religious Culture - Religious Diversity/Heritage Health/Personal Development - Human Growth and Development
Use the film as a springboard to begin researching Hinduism and Diwali. Have your students compare Diwali to other festivals of lights. Ask students to write about the use of candles in religious celebrations. Use the film to raise awareness in your class about those students who may be trying to adapt to new situations, cultures and/or religious traditions.
Lights for Gita
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