In the animated short “Lights for Gita”, eight-year-old Gita 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.

The 7 1/2 minute short film directed by Michel Vo is based on the book Lights for Gita by author Rachna Gilmore. See more short films geared towards kids: Roses Sing on New Snow, The Friends of Kwan Ming, Asthma Tech, The Chinese Violin and Jaime Lo, small and shy.

Lights for Gita : short film