Lights for Gita
2001
7 min
Coming soon
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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Talespinners2000 15 filmsTalespinners, 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.
Details
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.
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directorMichel Vo
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animatorGregory Houston
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consulting directorSheldon Cohen
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animation production supervisorMarie Renaud
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digital imaging specialistNormand Gauthier
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lead infographistJon Gasco
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infographistItsik RomanoDominic TremblayRandall Finnerty
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assistant infographistMichel ProvençalMichelle MacDonaldShira Avni
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scanJean-Marc Brosseau
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video outputJean-Marc Brosseau
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backgroundsMichel Vo
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layoutMichel Vo
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additional animationJo MeurisLuigi AllemanoJamie MasonSerene El-haj Daoud
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storyboard consultantSheldon CohenMarie Renaud
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writerSugith Varughese
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narratorIvan Smith
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voiceShalini SinghKen FernandezMajella CastellanoRosalind Garland
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picture editorJosé Heppell
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musicNormand Roger
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sound designNormand Roger
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music - collaborationDenis Chartrand
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sound design - collaborationDenis Chartrand
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sound editorJean-Baptiste Roger
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line test editorMichel Pelland
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re-recordingSerge BoivinJean Paul Vialard
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technical coordinatorRichard LesageAndrée Lachapelle
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studio administrationGisèle GuilbaultAndrée Lachapelle
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executive producerDavid VerrallIsobel Marks
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producerTamara Lynch
Education
Ages 6 to 9
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.
