Released theatrically in 2012 in New York, Atlanta and Los Angeles. A rebellious teenage girl struggles to navigate a broken relationship with her mother and a troubled adolescence, while memories of her absent father continue to haunt her. After receiving shocking news about her father, she embarks on a journey from New York to Guyana to discover the truth about her family’s mysterious past. Festival of Lights Written & Directed by Shundell Prasad
Poster for the film "Festival of Lights"

ABOUT THE FILM

Durga Entertainment is drawn to Festival of Lights for its powerful story of forced migration across generations. Lost love, lost parents, and lost homes form the emotional core of this deeply personal directorial debut by Guyanese-American filmmaker Shundell Prasad.

Offering a rare glimpse into the Indo-Guyanese diaspora, the film speaks to anyone shaped by displacement, longing, and the search for home.

NR | 120 minutes | USA | Drama

Poster for the film "Festival of Lights"

ABOUT THE FILM

Durga Entertainment is drawn to Festival of Lights for its powerful story of forced migration across generations. Lost love, lost parents, and lost homes form the emotional core of this deeply personal directorial debut by Guyanese-American filmmaker Shundell Prasad.

Offering a rare glimpse into the Indo-Guyanese diaspora, the film speaks to anyone shaped by displacement, longing, and the search for home.

NR | 120 minutes | USA | Drama

TRAILER

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CAST

  • Melinda Shankar

    as Reshma

  • Aidan Quinn

    as Adem

  • Ritu Kamal Singh

    as Meena

  • Jimi Mistry

    as Vishnu

  • Stephen Hadeed Jr.

    as Ravin

St Louis International Film Festival - Official Selection Logo
Trinidad+Tobago Film Festival - Official Selection logo
Ibiza International Film Festival Logo

REVIEWS

“

A high-wattage narrative that opens our eyes to a subculture about which most of us know very little… Meena, the mother, is played with haunting beauty and genuine sincerity by Ritu Kamal Singh.

The New York ObserverRex Reed
“

There are flashes of brilliance among the lead performances that are brimming with emotion.

Paste MagazineChristine N. Ziemba
“

It’s mesmerizing to watch Pande’s face as she plays Meena thrown into loneliness and stress having to raise her daughter on her own...Actress Pande, as the sympathetic yet flawed Meena, gives a strong and compelling performance. Her eyes and lips are as intriguing as Mona Lisa’s and keep you focused on her face where she conveys deep emotional conflicts.

The Examiner
“

Prasad (has a) gift for capturing actual scenes of traditional holiday community celebrations with flourishes of radiant imagery.

News BlazePrairie Miller
“

A rare, compassionate, and nuanced look at immigration in 21st-century America…beautifully shot with heart, hope, and a fascinating glimpse into the Guyanese-American community. Director Shundell Prasad shows great promise.

St. Louis Magazine
“

A vivid portrait of the troubled journey of a mother and daughter who flee Guyana and try to set up new lives in America.

Spirituality and PracticeFrederic and Mary Ann Brussat
“

Engaging…(Festival of Lights) shows Hinduism in a country other than India and goes beyond the festival (Diwali), treating it as a symbol… Aidan Quinn was good, been too long since we’ve seen him.

Education Update